JP2009283997A - Voice output device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a voice output device that outputs voice suitable for a display pattern for displaying a video. <P>SOLUTION: The voice output device 20 outputs the voice accompanying the video displayed on a television body 12 from speakers 27a, 27b. The voice output device includes a video processing section 21 for setting at least one of sound volume of voice, frequency characteristics, and the number of channels, based on display pattern information indicating a display pattern for displaying the video on the television body 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an audio output device that is connected to a display device such as a television receiver and outputs audio accompanying video displayed on the display device.

  In recent years, with an increase in the size of a display panel, a television receiver (hereinafter referred to as a television) having a multi-screen display function has become widespread. Multi-screen display refers to a display mode in which a plurality of display areas are provided on a display panel and different images are displayed in each display area. For example, the two-screen display refers to a display mode in which the first video is displayed on the left half of the display panel and the second video is displayed on the right half of the display panel.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for simultaneously outputting a plurality of sounds accompanying a plurality of videos in a television having such a multi-screen display function. In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, different speakers are used for the first audio accompanying the first video displayed on the display panel and the second audio accompanying the second video. Output simultaneously. Thereby, the viewer can view each video displayed on the display panel with sound.

  Further, in a television having a conventional multi-screen display function, a display pattern for displaying video (hereinafter referred to as full screen display) over the entire display area of the display panel, or a partial display area of the display panel, From a plurality of display patterns such as a display pattern for displaying video (hereinafter referred to as sub-screen display) and the above-described display pattern for multi-screen display, the viewer selects one display pattern to display video and audio. Can watch.

  Here, in a television having a multi-screen display function, when viewing a video in full screen display, it is preferable that the audio accompanying the video is powerful or realistic sound, while the video is displayed as a sub-screen. When viewing with a display or a multi-screen display, it is preferable that the sound accompanying the video is a sound with reduced force and volume. That is, in a television having a multi-screen display function, it is necessary to output sound suitable for a display pattern used for displaying video.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for controlling the output level of output sound for each speaker when outputting sound of a plurality of channels using different speakers for each channel.
JP 2007-68110 A (published March 15, 2007) JP 2007-129337 A (published May 24, 2007)

  However, Patent Document 1 only describes a configuration in which audio accompanying each video is output by different speakers in multi-screen display. Therefore, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot output sound suitable for the display pattern.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for controlling the output level of output sound for each speaker, but does not disclose a video display pattern. Therefore, similarly to Patent Document 1, even the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2 cannot output sound suitable for a display pattern for displaying video.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an audio output device capable of outputting audio suitable for a display pattern used for displaying an image from a speaker. is there.

In order to solve the above problems, the audio output device of the present invention provides
An audio output device for outputting audio accompanying a video displayed on a display device from a speaker, wherein the number of channels of the audio is based on display pattern information indicating a display pattern used by the display device to display the video. It is characterized by having control means for setting.

  With the above configuration, the audio output device of the present configuration has an effect that the audio suitable for the display pattern used for display of video by the display device can be output from the speaker.

  For example, when a display device simultaneously displays two images in its own image display area, in other words, when displaying images using a display pattern that displays two images on a sub-screen, the audio output device has two Each of the audio accompanying the video is output as monaural audio, while when the display device displays the video using a display pattern that displays one video in full screen, the audio output device is displayed in full screen Audio associated with one video is output as stereo audio. As described above, the audio output device sets the number of audio channels to be output in accordance with the display pattern used by the display device to display the video, so that the audio accompanying the video displayed on the full screen is displayed to the viewer. It can be output on multiple channels for more powerful sound.

  As described above, the audio output device of the present invention can output audio suitable for the display pattern used by the display device for displaying video.

In the audio output device according to the present invention,
The control means preferably sets at least one of the volume and frequency characteristics of the sound based on the display pattern information.

  By providing the above configuration, the audio output device of this configuration has an effect that the audio that is more suitable for the display pattern used by the display device for displaying the video can be output from the speaker.

  For example, when the display device displays one video in its entire video display area, in other words, when the video is displayed using a display pattern in which one video is displayed on the full screen, the audio output device displays the video. The volume of the sound accompanying the can be increased. As a result, the sound accompanying the video can be output as powerful or realistic sound in accordance with the power and presence of the video displayed on the full screen. That is, the video output device can output sound suitable for the display pattern used for displaying video from the speaker.

  Further, when the display device simultaneously displays two images in its own image display area, in other words, when the image is displayed using a display pattern for displaying the two images on the sub-screen, the audio output device outputs The frequency characteristic of the sound is set so that the middle range is emphasized rather than the low and high ranges of the sound frequency. As a result, each sound output from the speaker is emphasized in the middle frequency band corresponding to the frequency band of the human voice. As a result, the sound output device outputs each sound accompanying the two images. It can be output from the speaker as a voice that is easy for the viewer to hear. That is, the video output device can output sound suitable for the display pattern used for displaying video from the speaker.

The audio output device according to the present invention further includes:
It is preferable that the apparatus further includes position detecting means for detecting the position of the speaker, and the control means switches the frequency characteristic of the sound to be set in accordance with speaker position information indicating the position of the speaker.

  According to the above configuration, the audio output device can detect the position of the speaker. Therefore, the audio output device can detect whether or not the speaker is in a predetermined position.

  Here, when the speaker is not in a predetermined position, the speaker has been moved by the viewer and is considered to be positioned around the viewer. Therefore, when the speaker is not in the predetermined position, it is more likely that the viewer is watching the sound at a lower volume than when the speaker is in the predetermined position.

  Therefore, by providing the above configuration, when the sound output device detects that the position of the speaker is not at a predetermined position, the sound output device sets the frequency characteristics of the sound to be output from the low frequency range and the high frequency range. , Can be switched to emphasize the midrange. Thereby, even when the viewer places the speaker at his / her hand and views the sound at a low volume, it becomes easy to hear the human voice included in the sound. That is, the audio output device has an effect of making it easier for the viewer to grasp the contents of video and audio even at a low volume.

The audio output device according to the present invention further includes:
It is preferable that the apparatus further includes position detecting means for detecting the position of the speaker, and the control means switches the number of channels of the audio to be set according to speaker position information indicating the position of the speaker.

  According to the above configuration, the audio output device can detect the position of the speaker. Therefore, the audio output device can detect whether or not the speaker is in a predetermined position.

  Furthermore, by providing the above configuration, the audio output device can output audio to be output as stereo audio when the speaker is at a predetermined position, and output audio when the speaker is not at a predetermined position. Can be output as monaural sound.

The audio output device according to the present invention further includes:
It is preferable that a plurality of the speakers are provided, and the sound is output from a speaker other than a predetermined position among the plurality of speakers.

  As already described, it is considered that the speakers other than the predetermined position determined in advance are located around the viewer.

  Therefore, by providing the above configuration, the audio output device can output audio from only speakers around the viewer.

The audio output device according to the present invention further includes:
The battery charger further includes a charger for charging the speaker, the charger includes a charge state detection unit that detects whether or not the speaker is being charged, and the position detection unit is configured to determine whether or not the speaker is being charged. It is preferable to determine whether or not the speaker is at a predetermined position determined in advance from the state of charge information indicating that the determination result is the speaker position information.

  According to the above configuration, the audio output device can determine whether or not the speaker is in a predetermined position only by providing a simple circuit in the charger based on only information on whether or not the speaker is being charged. It can be determined whether or not.

  In addition, the said audio | voice output apparatus may be implement | achieved as computers, such as a digital signal processor (DSP: digital signal processor). In this case, an audio output program that causes a computer to function as each of the above-described means to cause the computer to operate as the audio output device and a recording medium that records the program are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  As described above, the audio output device of the present invention is an audio output device that outputs audio accompanying a video displayed on a display device from a speaker, and the volume, frequency characteristics, and number of channels of the audio are as follows. Control means for setting at least one of them based on display pattern information indicating a display pattern used by the display device to display the video is provided.

  Therefore, the audio output device of the present invention can output audio suitable for the display pattern used for displaying video.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

(Operating environment)
First, with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an operating environment of the television receiver (hereinafter referred to as a television) 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the television 10 displaying one video on the entire display area of the display panel 11, and FIG. 2B shows two different videos on the display panel 11. It is a figure which shows the television 10 which is carrying out.

  2A and 2B, the television 10 includes a display panel 11 capable of displaying a plurality of videos, a television main body 12 (display device) including the display panel 11, and 2 capable of outputting sound. Two speakers 27a and 27b. Further, although not shown, the television 10 includes an audio output device that processes an audio signal corresponding to the video being displayed and causes the speakers 27a and 27b to output audio accompanying the video being displayed. In addition, the television main body 12 receives a tuner (not shown) that receives broadcast radio waves and an instruction from the viewer (for example, output audio volume value, switching of a video to be displayed, designation of a video display form, etc.). A receiving unit (for example, a receiving unit that receives an instruction signal from a remote controller).

  The television 10 according to the present embodiment receives broadcast radio waves by the tuner, and outputs video and audio included in the received broadcast radio waves from the display unit 11 and the speakers 27a and 27b. The configuration for acquiring video and audio is not limited, and includes a configuration for acquiring content data distributed from the Internet and a configuration for acquiring from a recording medium via a recording medium playback device. The detailed description of the audio output device provided in the television 10 will be described later.

(Audio characteristics for each operating environment)
As shown in FIG. 2A, when the television 10 displays one video 13 a in the entire display area of the display panel 11, the television 10 transmits the sound accompanying the video 13 a to force or presence. It is necessary to output as a certain sound. That is, when the video 13a is displayed on the entire display area of the display panel 11, in other words, when the video 13a is displayed on the full screen, the viewer views the video 13a as a powerful video. In accordance with the display mode 13a, it is necessary to output the sound accompanying the video 13a as powerful or realistic sound.

  Here, the audio output device included in the television 10 controls the volume and frequency characteristics of the audio accompanying the video 13a in accordance with the display form of the video 13a, in other words, according to the display pattern of the video 13a. Speakers 27a and 27b output later audio. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, when one video 13 a is displayed on the entire display area of the display panel 11, the audio output device included in the television 10 has the audio accompanying the video 13 a. Further, at least one of the low frequency band and the high frequency band is emphasized more than the middle frequency band. Thereby, the television 10 can provide a powerful and realistic sound to the viewer. If the audio accompanying the video 13a is stereo audio consisting of two channels, a left channel and a right channel, the left channel audio is output from the speaker 27a, and the right channel audio is output from the speaker 27b. Output.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), when the television 10 displays two different videos 13b and 13c on the display panel 11, the television 10 receives the audio accompanying the videos 13b and 13c, It is not necessary to output as a powerful or realistic sound as shown in FIG. That is, when the images 13b and 13c are displayed in a part of the display area of the display panel 11, in other words, when the images 13b and 13c are displayed on the sub-screen, the viewer makes the images 13b and 13c as powerful images. It is necessary to output each sound accompanying the images 13b and 13c as a sound with reduced force and volume in accordance with the display form of the image without viewing. Furthermore, when the audio accompanying each of the two videos 13b and 13c is output at the same time, the television 10 converts the stereo sound accompanying the video 13b into monaural sound, and the stereo sound accompanying the video 13c is converted to monaural audio. It is necessary to convert these two monaural sounds from the speakers 27a and 27b, respectively.

  Here, the audio output device included in the television 10 controls the volume and frequency characteristics of each sound accompanying the images 13b and 13c according to the display pattern of the images 13b and 13c, and the sound after the control is transmitted to the speaker 27a. And 27b are output. Specifically, when two images 13b and 13c are displayed on the display panel 11 as shown in FIG. 2B, the volume of each sound accompanying the images 13b and 13c is reduced, For each voice, the middle band of the frequency band of each voice is emphasized more than the high band or the low band. Thus, by emphasizing the middle band of the voice frequency band, the frequency band corresponding to the human voice included in the voice is emphasized. As a result, even if the volume of the output audio is reduced, it is possible to prevent the human voice included in the audio from becoming difficult to hear, in other words, it is possible to prevent the content of the video being displayed from being unable to be grasped.

  In addition, when each sound accompanying the images 13b and 13c is stereo sound, the sound output device converts each stereo sound of the images 13b and 13c into monaural sound by downmixing. In this way, by controlling the number of channels of the audio signal input from the TV main body 12, the TV 10 converts the monaural audio associated with the video 13b and the monaural audio associated with the video 13c into the speakers 27a and 27b can be output simultaneously.

  In this embodiment, the audio frequency is divided into three bands, and the low frequency, middle frequency, and high frequency are set in ascending order of frequency. Further, in the present embodiment, the middle range in the audio frequency is set to 100 Hz or more and less than 5 kHz, the high range is set to 5 kHz or more, and the low range is set to less than 100 Hz.

(Display pattern)
As described above, the television 10 according to the present embodiment controls the sound to be output according to the display pattern used for displaying the video by the sound output device provided in the television 10. 2A and 2B, two display patterns are shown, but the television 10 according to the present embodiment controls the sound to be output according to four predetermined display patterns. Hereinafter, the four display patterns will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams showing forms of display patterns 14a to 14d used by the display panel 11 for displaying images.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3A, the first display pattern 14a is displayed when the television 10 displays one video 13a on the entire display area of the display panel 11, in other words, one video 13a. Is a display form used when full-screen display is performed. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second display pattern 14b is displayed when the television 10 displays a plurality of different videos 13b and 13c in the display area of the display panel 11, in other words, the video. Each of 13b and 13c is a display form used when displaying a sub-screen. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the third display pattern 14 c is a display used when the television 10 displays one video 13 b in a sub-screen display in a part of the display area of the display panel 11. It is a form. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, the fourth display pattern 14d is a display used when the television 10 displays one video image 13c on a sub-screen in a part of the display area of the display panel 11. It is a form.

  As described above, when the television 10 displays an image on the display panel 11, the television 10 is based on information indicating which display pattern is used to display the image among the display patterns 14a to 14d. The voice output device provided controls the voice to be output.

(Configuration of audio output device)
Next, the configuration of the audio output device included in the television 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an audio output device 20 included in the television 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the audio output device 20 includes an audio processing unit (control means) 21 that processes an audio signal from the television main body 12 and a speaker 27 a that outputs audio based on the audio signal from the audio processing unit 21. And 27b. The audio processing unit 21 includes an audio processing determination unit 22, switches 23 a and 23 b, downmix circuits 24 a and 24 b, an attenuation / amplification unit 25, and a speaker control unit 26.

(Basic operation of audio output device)
First, the audio processing unit 21 acquires display pattern information indicating which display pattern the viewer has specified from the television main body 12 and an audio signal accompanying the video displayed on the television main body 12. The audio processing unit 21 processes the audio signal from the television main body 12 based on the acquired display pattern information, and further outputs the processed audio signal to the speakers 27a and 27b. The speakers 27a and 27b output sound based on the input sound signal. The above is the basic operation of the audio output device 20.

  Note that the speakers 27a and 27b are provided with an amplifier and output as sound from an electric signal by attenuating or amplifying the audio signal. More specifically, the attenuation or amplification of the audio signal in the attenuation / amplification unit 25 controls the volume and frequency characteristics of the audio output from the speakers 27a and 27b, while the audio signal in the speakers 27a and 27b is controlled. Amplification is for converting a sound signal into sound and outputting the sound.

  Next, in order to describe the operation of the audio output device 20 in more detail, an operation process for each display pattern will be described.

(Voice processing based on the display pattern 14a)
First, when the television main body 12 designates the display pattern 14a as a display pattern used for displaying the video 13a by the viewer, the television main body 12 indicates that the display pattern 14a is designated for displaying the video 13a. The display pattern information is output to the sound processing determination unit 22. Furthermore, the television main body 12 outputs the stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13a to the switch 23a as the first stereo audio signal.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal instructing not to downmix the first stereo audio signal to the switch 23a based on the output display pattern information. The switch 23 a outputs the first stereo audio signal to the attenuation / amplification unit 25 based on the output switch control signal.

  Here, the attenuation / amplification unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first stereo audio signal using an amplification factor (hereinafter referred to as a reference amplification factor) according to the volume value of the output audio designated by the viewer, Thereby, it has the function to adjust the volume of the sound which the speakers 27a and 27b output. Here, the attenuation / amplification unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first stereo audio signal based not only on the reference amplification factor but also on the amplification factor control signal from the audio processing determination unit 22. Specifically, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal to the switch 23a, and outputs to the attenuation / amplification unit 25 at least one of a low frequency band and a high frequency band of the first stereo audio signal. An amplification factor control signal is instructed to emphasize the region, and an instruction to attenuate or amplify the first stereo audio signal using an amplification factor larger than the reference amplification factor is output. The attenuating / amplifying unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first stereo audio signal based on the output amplification factor control signal, and outputs it to the speaker control unit 26. A detailed description of the sound signal attenuation and amplification operation in the attenuation / amplification unit 25 will be described later.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs to the speaker control unit 26 a speaker control signal that instructs to output the first stereo audio signal to the speakers 27a and 27b. Specifically, the first stereo audio signal is composed of a left channel audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a first Lch audio signal) and a right channel audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a first Rch audio signal). The speaker control signal output from the audio processing determination unit 22 is sent to the speaker control unit 26 so that the first Lch audio signal is output to the speaker 27a and the first Rch audio signal is output to the speaker 27b. To instruct.

  The speaker control unit 26 outputs a first Lch audio signal to the speaker 27a and outputs a first Rch audio signal to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. Next, the speaker 27a outputs sound based on the output first Lch sound signal, while the speaker 27b outputs sound based on the output first Rch sound signal.

  In the audio output device 20 according to the present embodiment, the speakers 27a and 27b are wireless speakers that are connected to the speaker control unit 26 by radio. That is, the speaker control unit 26 has a function of transmitting the first stereo audio signal to the speakers 27a and 27b using a wireless communication technique. In the present embodiment, since a known wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth is used for transmission and reception of audio signals between the speaker control unit 26 and the speakers 27a and 27b, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Furthermore, the speakers 27a and 27b may be polyhedral speaker units including a plurality of sound output units. In this case, by controlling the sound level of the sound output from each of the plurality of sound output units, the output sound can have directivity.

  As described above, when the TV main body 12 displays the video 13a using the display pattern 14a, the audio output device 20 according to the present embodiment does not downmix the first stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13a. Further, in the attenuating / amplifying unit 25, the volume of the first stereo audio signal is set to a volume larger than the volume value designated by the viewer, and at least one of the low frequency band and the high frequency band of the first stereo audio signal is set. Is controlled more than the mid range. Thereby, when the television main body 12 displays the video 13a on the full screen, the audio output device 20 can output the audio accompanying the video 13a as powerful or realistic audio.

(Audio processing based on display pattern 14b)
Next, the operation of the audio output device 20 when the TV main body 12 designates the display pattern 14b as a display pattern used for displaying the video 13b and the video 13c will be described.

  First, the television main body 12 outputs display pattern information indicating that the display pattern 14b is designated to display the video 13b and the video 13c to the audio processing determination unit 22. Further, the TV main body 12 outputs the stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13b as the first stereo audio signal to the switch 23a, and the stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13c as the second stereo audio signal to the switch 23b. Output.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal instructing to downmix the first stereo audio signal to the switch 23a based on the output display pattern information, and outputs the second stereo to the switch 23b. A switch control signal for instructing to downmix the audio signal is output.

  The switch 23a outputs the output first stereo audio signal to the downmix circuit 24a based on the switch control signal, and the switch 23b downmixes the output second stereo audio signal based on the switch control signal. Output to the circuit 24b. Next, the downmix circuit 24 a converts the first stereo audio signal into a monaural audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a first monaural audio signal) by downmixing, and outputs the monaural audio signal to the attenuating / amplifying unit 25. On the other hand, the downmix circuit 24 b converts the second stereo audio signal into a monaural audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a second monaural audio signal) by downmixing, and outputs the monaural audio signal to the attenuating / amplifying unit 25.

  The sound processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal, instructs the attenuation / amplification unit 25 to emphasize the middle band of the frequency band of the first and second monaural sound signals, and the reference amplification factor. An amplification factor control signal for instructing to attenuate or amplify the first stereo audio signal using a smaller amplification factor. The attenuation / amplification unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first and second monaural audio signals based on the output amplification factor control signal, and outputs the attenuated or amplified monaural audio signal to the speaker control unit 26.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a speaker control signal that instructs the speaker control unit 26 to output the first monaural audio signal to the speaker 27a and the second monaural audio signal to the speaker 27b. The speaker control unit 26 outputs a first monaural audio signal to the speaker 27a and outputs a second monaural audio signal to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. Next, the speaker 27a outputs sound based on the output first monaural sound signal, while the speaker 27b outputs sound based on the output second monaural sound signal.

  As described above, when the television main body 12 displays the video images 13b and 13c using the display pattern 14b, the audio output device 20 according to the present embodiment has the first and second stereo audios associated with the video images 13b and 13c. To the first and second monaural audio signals, and the attenuation / amplification unit 25 further reduces the volume of the first and second monaural audio signals to a volume value specified by the viewer. The volume is controlled, and further, control is performed to emphasize the middle region of the frequency band of the first and second monaural audio signals. Thereby, when the television 12 displays the images 13b and 13c on the sub screen, the sound accompanying the images 13b and 13c can be output as sound with reduced force and volume. It should be noted that by emphasizing the middle range of the first and second monaural audio signals over the low range and the high range, the frequency band corresponding to the human voice is emphasized. As a result, even if the volume of the output audio is reduced, the human voice included in the audio is prevented from being reduced, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the viewer from grasping the contents of the images 13b and 13c. Yes.

(Audio processing based on the display pattern 14c)
Next, the operation of the audio output device 20 when the television main body 12 designates the display pattern 14c as a display pattern used for displaying the video 13b will be described.

  First, the television main body 12 outputs display pattern information indicating that the display pattern 14 c has been designated to display the video 13 b to the audio processing determination unit 22. Furthermore, the television main body 12 outputs the stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13b to the switch 23a as the first stereo audio signal.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal instructing not to downmix the first stereo audio signal to the switch 23a based on the output display pattern information. The switch 23 a outputs the output first stereo audio signal to the attenuation / amplification unit 25 based on the output switch control signal.

  The audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal and emphasizes at least one of the low frequency range and the high frequency range of the first stereo audio signal from the mid range with respect to the attenuation / amplification unit 25. An amplification factor control signal is output that instructs and attenuates or amplifies the first stereo audio signal using an amplification factor smaller than the reference amplification factor. The attenuating / amplifying unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first stereo audio signal based on the output amplification factor control signal, and outputs it to the speaker control unit 26.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs to the speaker control unit 26 a speaker control signal that instructs to output the first stereo audio signal to the speakers 27a and 27b. Specifically, the first Lch audio signal constituting the first stereo audio signal is output to the speaker 27a, and the first Rch audio signal is output to the speaker 27b to the speaker control unit 26. It is an instruction.

  The speaker control unit 26 outputs a first Lch audio signal to the speaker 27a and outputs a first Rch audio signal to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. Next, the speaker 27a outputs sound based on the output first Lch sound signal, while the speaker 27b outputs sound based on the output first Rch sound signal.

  As described above, when the TV main body 12 displays the video 13b using the display pattern 14c, the audio output device 20 according to the present embodiment does not downmix the first stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13b. Further, in the attenuating / amplifying unit 25, the volume of the first stereo audio signal is set to a volume smaller than the volume value designated by the viewer, and at least one of the low and high frequencies of the frequency band of the first stereo audio signal is set. Is controlled more than the mid range. Thereby, when the television main body 12 displays the video 13b on the sub-screen, the audio output device 20 can output the audio accompanying the video 13b as audio with reduced volume.

(Audio processing based on display pattern 14d)
Next, the operation of the audio output device 20 when the TV main body 12 designates the display pattern 14d as a display pattern used for displaying the video 13c will be described.

  First, the television main body 12 outputs display pattern information indicating that the display pattern 14 d has been designated to display the video 13 c to the audio processing determination unit 22. Furthermore, the television main body 12 outputs the stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13c to the switch 23b as a second stereo audio signal.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal that instructs the switch 23b not to downmix the second stereo audio signal based on the output display pattern information. The switch 23 b outputs the output second stereo audio signal to the attenuation / amplification unit 25 based on the output switch control signal.

  The audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal and emphasizes at least one of the low frequency band and the high frequency band of the second stereo audio signal from the mid band with respect to the attenuation / amplification unit 25. An amplification factor control signal is output that instructs and attenuates or amplifies the second stereo audio signal using an amplification factor smaller than the reference amplification factor. The attenuation / amplification unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the second stereo audio signal based on the output amplification factor control signal, and outputs the second stereo audio signal to the speaker control unit 26.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs to the speaker control unit 26 a speaker control signal that instructs to output the second stereo audio signal to the speakers 27a and 27b. The second stereo audio signal is composed of a left channel audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a second Lch audio signal) and a right channel audio signal (hereinafter referred to as a second Rch audio signal), and an audio processing determination unit. The speaker control signal output by the controller 22 instructs the speaker control unit 26 to output the second Lch audio signal to the speaker 27a and to output the second Rch audio signal to the speaker 27b. is there.

  The speaker control unit 26 outputs the second Lch audio signal to the speaker 27a and outputs the second Rch audio signal to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. Next, the speaker 27a outputs sound based on the output second Lch sound signal, while the speaker 27b outputs sound based on the output second Rch sound signal.

  As described above, when the TV main body 12 displays the video 13c using the display pattern 14d, the audio output device 20 according to the present embodiment does not downmix the second stereo audio signal accompanying the video 13c. Further, in the attenuating / amplifying unit 25, the volume of the second stereo audio signal is set to a volume smaller than the volume value designated by the viewer, and at least one of the low and high frequencies of the frequency band of the second stereo audio signal is set. Is controlled more than the mid range. Thereby, when the television main body 12 displays the video 13c on the sub-screen, the audio output device 20 can output the audio accompanying the video 13b as audio with reduced volume.

  In the audio output device according to the present embodiment, the frequency characteristics of the output audio are controlled so as to emphasize the middle range based on the display pattern information, or at least one of the high range and the low range is selected. Although it is configured to perform either control of emphasizing control, it may be configured to perform only control of whether to emphasize the midrange. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which control for emphasizing at least one of the high frequency band and the low frequency band is not performed for the frequency characteristics of the output sound.

(Attenuation / Amplification Operation of Attenuation / Amplification Unit 25)
Next, the attenuation and amplification operation of the audio signal in the attenuation / amplification unit 25 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the attenuation / amplification unit 25.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the attenuation / amplification unit 25 includes parametric equalizer (PEQ) units 25a and 25b. The PEQ units 25a and 25b are equalizers that can adjust the gain (including 1 or less) of the pass level for each band by dividing the audio frequency band in the audio signal into several parts, and include “center frequency”, “ The center frequency and frequency bandwidth of the pass band can be independently changed and adjusted by three parameters, Q (Quality factor) and Gain. Here, the Q value is represented by a ratio Q = ω0 / Δω of a frequency bandwidth (Δω) attenuated or amplified by 3 dB from the level of the center frequency and the center frequency ω0.

  The above three parameters are input from the audio processing determination unit 22 as an amplification factor control signal. Therefore, the audio processing determination unit 22 uses the above three parameters (“center frequency”, “attenuation or amplification” for attenuating or amplifying the audio signal based on the display pattern information from the TV main body 12 and the volume value specified by the viewer. “Q (Quality factor)” and “Gain”) are determined, and the determined three parameters are output as an amplification factor control signal.

  First, when the first stereo audio signal is input from the switch 23a, the first Lch audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25a, and the first Rch audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25b. The PEQ units 25a and 25b attenuate or amplify the first Lch audio signal and the first Rch audio signal based on the amplification factor control signal, respectively, and output the amplified signal to the speaker control unit 26.

  When the second stereo audio signal is input from the switch 23b, the second Lch audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25a, and the second Rch audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25b. The PEQ units 25a and 25b attenuate or amplify the second Lch audio signal and the second Rch audio signal based on the amplification factor control signal, respectively, and output the amplified signal to the speaker control unit 26.

  When the first and second monaural audio signals are input from the downmix circuits 24a and 24b, the first monaural audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25a, and the second monaural audio signal is input to the PEQ unit 25b. Entered. The PEQ units 25 a and 25 b attenuate or amplify each of the first and second monaural audio signals based on the amplification factor control signal, and output to the speaker control unit 26.

  As described above, the attenuation / amplification unit 25 includes PEQ units corresponding to the number of input audio signals, and each PEQ unit attenuates or amplifies each audio signal based on the amplification factor control signal. Thereby, the attenuation / amplification unit 25 can adjust the frequency characteristics and volume of the sound output from the speakers 27a and 27b based on the display pattern information and the volume value specified by the viewer.

  In the present embodiment, the PEQ units 25a and 25b are used as means for emphasizing a specific frequency band in the audio signal. However, the PEQ units 25a and 25b may be implemented using a combination of a filter and an amplifier other than the PEQ.

  In the television 10 described above, as an example in which a plurality of videos are displayed on the sub screen, two videos are displayed on the sub screen. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and three or more videos are displayed. It is also possible to display the sub screen at the same time. In this case, the audio output device 20 inputs audio signals associated with three or more videos, and switches, downmix circuits, PEQ units included in the attenuating / amplifying unit 25, and a PEQ unit included in the audio signal according to the number of audio signals, and By appropriately increasing the number of speakers, the same effects as when two videos are displayed on the sub-screen are obtained.

  The speakers 27a and 27b in the present embodiment have been described as wireless speakers that receive audio signals wirelessly from the speaker control unit 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is connected to the speaker control unit 26 by wire. It may be a speaker.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, an audio output device 20 ′ according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The configuration shown in the following second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. Specifically, the speakers 27a and 27b included in the audio output device 20 ′ are movable, and the audio output device 20 ′ further includes display pattern information and a speaker position indicating the positions of the speakers 27a and 27b. Based on the information, the volume, frequency characteristics, and number of channels of the sound to be output are controlled.

  In addition, in Embodiment 2, a different part from said Embodiment 1 is demonstrated, About the overlapping member, the same member number as Embodiment 1 is attached | subjected, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

(Configuration of audio output device 20 ')
First, the configuration of the audio output device 20 ′ according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the audio output device 20 ′.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the audio output device 20 ′ includes speakers 27 a and 27 b that receive an audio signal from the audio processing unit 21 using a wireless communication technique, and an audio processing unit 21 ′. Furthermore, the voice processing unit 21 ′ includes a speaker position detection unit 28 (position detection unit) and a voice processing determination unit 22 ′ that replaces the voice processing determination unit 22 of the first embodiment.

(Basic operation of the audio output device 20 ')
First, the audio processing unit 21 ′ acquires display pattern information indicating which display pattern is designated by the viewer from the TV main body 12 and an audio signal accompanying the video displayed on the TV main body 12. Furthermore, the audio processing unit 21 ′ detects the speakers 27a and 27b by the speaker position detection unit 28 provided therein. Based on the acquired display pattern information and the detected speaker position information indicating the positions of the speakers 27a and 27b, the audio processing unit 21 ′ switches the switches 23a and 23b, the amplification factor in the attenuation / amplification unit 25, and the audio signal The output destination speaker is determined.

(Speaker position detection)
Next, a configuration for detecting the positions of the speakers 27a and 27b in the audio output device 20 ′ will be described.

  First, since each of the speakers 27a and 27b is a wireless speaker, a charger is required. Here, the charger has a charge state detection unit that detects whether or not each of the speakers 27a and 27b is being charged. Thus, when the charger detects that the speakers 27a and 27b are being charged using the charging state detection unit, the speakers 27a and 27b are positioned at the positions where the chargers are installed, in other words, at predetermined positions. It will be in. On the other hand, when the charger detects that the speakers 27a and 27b are not being charged, the speakers 27a and 27b are located at positions other than the position where the charger is installed, in other words, other than the predetermined position. Further, the charger in the present embodiment has a function of transmitting charging state information indicating whether or not the speakers 27a and 27b are being charged to the speaker position detection unit 28 using wired or wireless. Yes.

  Therefore, the speaker position detection unit 28 acquires the charging state information of each of the speakers 27a and 27b from the charger, and determines whether or not the speakers 27a and 27b are at a predetermined position (charger position). To detect. The speaker position detection unit 28 performs voice processing on the information indicating the detected positions of the speakers 27a and 27b, in other words, the speaker position information indicating whether or not each of the speakers 27a and 27b is at a predetermined position. It outputs to determination part 22 '. Thereby, audio | voice process determination part 22 'can process the audio | voice signal from the television main body 12 based on the output speaker position information and display pattern information.

(Audio processing)
Next, audio processing based on the display pattern information and the speaker position information in the audio processing unit 21 ′ will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a matrix diagram showing the contents of audio processing based on display pattern information and speaker position information.

  First, in FIG. 6, the four display patterns 14a to 14d (see FIGS. 3A to 3D) designated by the display pattern information described in the first embodiment and the speaker position information are shown. 16 shows audio processing contents of 16 types in the audio processing unit 21 ′ based on the four pieces of positional information of the speakers 27a and 27b.

  For example, the control 1 indicates the audio processing content in the audio processing unit 21 ′ when the display pattern information specifies the display pattern 14 a and both the speakers 27 a and 27 b are at predetermined positions. Furthermore, the control 16 performs voice processing in the voice processing unit 21 ′ when the display pattern information specifies the display pattern 14d, the speaker 27a is located at a position other than the predetermined position, and the speaker 27b is located at the predetermined position. The contents are shown.

  Further, in FIG. 6, the contents of voice control when the speakers 27 a and 27 b are both at predetermined positions are shown as controls 1 to 4. Here, the operation processing in the sound processing unit 21 ′ in the controls 1 to 4 is the same as the operation processing in the sound processing unit 21 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the operation processing in the voice treatment unit 21 ′ in the controls 1 to 4 is omitted here. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, the controls 5, 9 and 13 have the same control content as the control 1, and the controls 6, 10 and 14 have the same control content as the control 2. Therefore, the description of the operation processing in the sound processing unit 21 ′ for the controls 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, and 14 is omitted here.

  Hereinafter, the operation processing of the sound processing unit 21 ′ for the controls 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 and 16 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

(Operation processing in the controls 7 and 15)
Hereinafter, the operation processing of the sound processing unit 21 ′ in the controls 7 and 15 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, since the operation processing of the sound processing unit 21 ′ in the controls 7 and 15 is the same, the operation processing in the controls 7 and 15 will be described together.

  First, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires speaker position information indicating the positions of the speakers 27 a and 27 b from the speaker position detection unit 28. Furthermore, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires display pattern information indicating that the display pattern 14a has been designated for display of the video 13b from the television main body 12, and converts the stereo audio signal associated with the video 13b to the first. Acquired as a stereo audio signal.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ outputs a switch control signal that instructs the switch 23a to downmix the first stereo audio signal based on the acquired display pattern information and speaker position information.

  The switch 23a outputs the output first stereo audio signal based on the switch control signal to the downmix circuit 24a, and the switch 23a downmixes the output first stereo audio signal based on the switch control signal. Output to the circuit 24a. Next, the downmix circuit 24 a converts the first stereo audio signal into a first monaural audio signal by downmixing, and outputs the first monaural audio signal to the attenuation / amplification unit 25.

  The audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a switch control signal, instructs the attenuation / amplification unit 25 to emphasize the middle region of the frequency band of the first monaural audio signal, and more than the reference amplification factor, An amplification factor control signal instructing to attenuate or amplify the first monaural audio signal using a small amplification factor is output. The attenuating / amplifying unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the first monaural audio signal based on the output amplification factor control signal, and outputs it to the speaker control unit 26.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a speaker control signal that instructs the speaker control unit 26 to transmit the first monaural audio signal to the speaker 27a. The speaker control unit 26 transmits a first monaural audio signal to the speaker 27a based on the output speaker control signal. The speaker 27a outputs sound based on the received first monaural sound signal.

(Operation processing in the control 11)
Next, the operation processing of the voice processing unit 21 ′ in the control 11 shown in FIG. 6 will be described below. In the description of the operation processing of the voice processing unit 21 ′ in the control 11, the parts different from the operation processing in the control 7 described above will be described, and the description of the same operation processing will be omitted.

  First, as an operation process in the audio processing unit 21 ′, the switch 23 a acquires the first stereo audio signal from the television main body 12 until the amplification factor control 25 outputs the first monaural audio signal to the speaker 26. The operation process is the same as the operation process in the control 7 described above.

  Here, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires speaker position information indicating that the speaker 27 a is at a predetermined position and the speaker 27 b is at a position other than the predetermined position from the speaker position detection unit 28. Based on the speaker position information, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ outputs a speaker control signal that instructs the speaker control unit 26 to transmit the first monaural audio signal to the speaker 27b.

  The speaker control unit 26 transmits the first monaural audio signal from the attenuation / amplification unit 25 to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. The speaker 27b outputs sound based on the received first monaural sound signal.

(Operation processing in controls 8 and 12)
Hereinafter, the operation processing of the sound processing unit 21 ′ in the controls 8 and 12 shown in FIG. 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, since the operation processing of the sound processing unit 21 ′ in the controls 8 and 12 is the same, the operation processing in the controls 8 and 12 will be described together.

  First, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires speaker position information indicating the positions of the speakers 27 a and 27 b from the speaker position detection unit 28. Further, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires display pattern information indicating that the display pattern 14a is designated for displaying the video 13c from the television main body 12, and outputs a stereo audio signal associated with the video 13c to the second. Acquired as a stereo audio signal.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ outputs a switch control signal that instructs the switch 23 b to downmix the second stereo audio signal based on the acquired display pattern information and speaker position information.

  The switch 23b outputs the output second stereo audio signal based on the switch control signal to the downmix circuit 24b, and the switch 23b downmixes the output second stereo audio signal based on the switch control signal. Output to the circuit 24b. Next, the downmix circuit 24 b converts the second stereo audio signal into a second monaural audio signal by downmixing, and outputs the second monaural audio signal to the attenuation / amplification unit 25.

  The audio processing determination unit 22 outputs the switch control signal, instructs the attenuation / amplification unit 25 to emphasize the middle region of the frequency band of the second monaural audio signal, and more than the reference amplification factor, An amplification factor control signal instructing to attenuate or amplify the second monaural audio signal using a small amplification factor is output. The attenuating / amplifying unit 25 attenuates or amplifies the second monaural audio signal based on the output amplification factor control signal and outputs it to the speaker control unit 26.

  Next, the audio processing determination unit 22 outputs a speaker control signal that instructs the speaker control unit 26 to transmit the second monaural audio signal to the speaker 27b. The speaker control unit 26 transmits a second monaural audio signal to the speaker 27b based on the output speaker control signal. The speaker 27b outputs sound based on the received first monaural sound signal.

(Operation process in the control 16)
Next, the operation processing of the voice processing unit 21 ′ in the control 16 shown in FIG. 6 will be described below. In the description of the operation process of the voice processing unit 21 ′ in the control 16, points different from the operation process in the control 8 described above will be described, and the description of the same operation process will be omitted.

  First, as an operation process in the audio processing unit 21 ′, the switch 23 b acquires the second stereo audio signal from the television body 12 and the amplification factor control 25 outputs the second monaural audio signal to the speaker 26. The operation process is the same as the operation process in the control 8 described above.

  Here, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ acquires speaker position information indicating that the speaker 27 a is located at a position other than the predetermined position and the speaker 27 b is located at the predetermined position from the speaker position detection unit 28. Based on the speaker position information, the audio processing determination unit 22 ′ outputs a speaker control signal that instructs the speaker control unit 26 to transmit the second monaural audio signal to the speaker 27a.

  The speaker control unit 26 transmits the second monaural audio signal from the attenuation / amplification unit 25 to the speaker 27a based on the output speaker control signal. The speaker 27a outputs sound based on the received second monaural sound signal.

  From the operation processing of the controls 7, 8, 11, 12, 15 and 16 described above, it can be seen that the audio output device 20 'according to the present embodiment has the following operational effects. First, it is considered that the speaker located outside the predetermined position is moved from the position of the charger installed at the predetermined position by the viewer. That is, it is considered that the speakers other than the predetermined position are in the vicinity of the viewer. Here, when at least one of the speakers 27a and 27b is located at a position other than the predetermined position, the audio output device 20 ′ converts the stereo audio accompanying the video being displayed on the television main body 12 into monaural audio, Output is given priority over speakers outside the position.

  As a result, the audio output device 20 ′ according to the present embodiment can output the audio accompanying the displayed video with priority over the speakers around the viewer, and as a result, it is easy for the viewer to hear. From the speaker, there is an effect that it is possible to output sound accompanying the displayed video.

(Upmix)
In the first and second embodiments, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ are configured to connect two speakers, but may be configured to connect three or more speakers. At this time, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ are arranged so that when the television main body 12 displays one video on the full screen, in other words, when the television main body 12 displays the video using the display pattern 14 a, The first stereo audio signal may be upmixed, and audio signals having the number of channels corresponding to the number of connected speakers may be output to the speakers.

  For example, when the number of speakers to be connected is 6 or more, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ use the stereo audio signal (audio signal accompanying the video displayed on the full screen) from the TV main body 12 as 5. Up-mix to a multi-channel audio signal such as 1 channel, more specifically, to an audio signal corresponding to 6 speakers (left, right, center, rear left, rear right, and subwoofer) Up-mixing may be performed, and an audio signal for each channel may be output to each speaker. As described above, in order to perform the upmix, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ may include an upmix circuit between the switch 23a and the attenuation / amplification unit 25. As a method of upmixing in this upmixing circuit, a method such as Dolby Pro Logic 2 which is a well-known technique may be used, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  In addition, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ include the above-described upmix circuit, so that the audio signal from the TV main body 12 is a monaural audio signal, and the TV main body 12 displays one video in full screen. In this case, the monaural audio signal from the television main body 12 may be upmixed to a stereo audio signal and output to a speaker.

  As described above, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ upmix the audio signal from the television main body 12 and output it to the speaker. Needless to say, you need to be connected.

(Program and recording medium)
Finally, each block included in the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ may be configured by hardware logic. Alternatively, it may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit) as follows.

  That is, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ include a CPU that executes instructions of a program that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program into an executable format. ), And a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data. With this configuration, the object of the present invention can be achieved by a predetermined recording medium.

  This recording medium only needs to record the program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the programs of the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′, which are software that realizes the above-described functions, in a computer-readable manner. . This recording medium is supplied to the audio output devices 20 and 20 '. Thereby, the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ (or CPU or MPU) as computers may read and execute the program code recorded on the supplied recording medium.

  The recording medium for supplying the program code to the audio output devices 20 and 20 'is not limited to a specific structure or type. That is, the recording medium includes, for example, a tape system such as a magnetic tape and a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and an optical disk such as a CD-ROM / MO / MD / DVD / CD-R. System, a card system such as an IC card (including a memory card) / optical card, or a semiconductor memory system such as a mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM / flash ROM.

  Further, even if the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ are configured to be connectable to a communication network, the object of the present invention can be achieved. In this case, the program code is supplied to the audio output devices 20 and 20 ′ via the communication network. The communication network is not limited to a specific type or form as long as it can supply program codes to the content display device 10. For example, it may be the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like.

  The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, wired communication such as IEEE 1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus), power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), 802.11 It can also be used by radio such as radio, HDR, mobile phone network, satellite line, terrestrial digital network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  In addition, you may comprise as follows the reproducing | regenerating apparatus provided with the audio | voice output apparatus of this invention.

(First configuration)
It has a plurality of speaker channels corresponding to a plurality of broadcast channels, outputs sound corresponding to one channel of the sub screen from at least one speaker channel, and at least one channel corresponding to the sub screen at the time of full screen viewing A reproducing apparatus that outputs using a plurality of speakers.

(Second configuration)
The playback apparatus according to the first configuration, wherein the plurality of speakers are managed by having one-to-one or one-to-one IDs corresponding to the sub-screens.

(Third configuration)
The reproduction apparatus according to the first configuration, characterized in that it has means for detecting the position of the speaker, and the audio control is switched between when the speaker is at a predetermined position and when it is not.

(Fourth configuration)
When it is detected that the speaker is at a predetermined position, the sound of the channel corresponding to the entire screen is output from a plurality of speakers at the predetermined position, and when it is detected that the speaker is not at the predetermined position, at least The playback apparatus according to the first configuration or the third configuration, wherein the audio of the sub-screen is output from a speaker that is not at one predetermined position.

(Fifth configuration)
The first configuration is characterized in that, when it is detected that the speaker is at a predetermined position, control is performed to automatically increase the volume level compared to when it is detected that the speaker is not at the predetermined position. The playback device according to any one of the third configuration and the fourth configuration.

(Sixth configuration)
If it is detected that the speaker is in the predetermined position, the sound is output without limiting the frequency band of the plurality of speakers in the predetermined position, and if it is detected that the speaker is not in the predetermined position, at least The playback device according to any one of the first, third, and fourth configurations, wherein the audio is output by limiting a frequency band of a speaker that is not at one predetermined position.

(Seventh configuration)
If the speaker is detected at a predetermined position, the broadcast content channel is upmixed and an audio signal is output. If the speaker is detected not at the predetermined position, the broadcast content channel is downmixed. The playback apparatus according to any one of the first configuration, the third configuration, and the fourth configuration, which outputs an audio signal.

(Eighth configuration)
The reproduction apparatus according to the third configuration, wherein the presence / absence detection of the plurality of speakers is performed using a switch contact of a charger.

  According to the present invention, based on display pattern information that designates a display pattern used for displaying a video, at least one of the volume of sound accompanying the video, the frequency characteristics, and the number of channels constituting the audio is selected. The present invention provides an audio output device capable of outputting sound suitable for a display pattern used for video display by control, and particularly used in a television receiver having a large display panel. Is possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice output apparatus based on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operating environment of the television receiver based on embodiment of this invention. (A)-(d) is a schematic diagram which shows the display pattern which the television receiver based on embodiment of this invention uses for a video display. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the gain control with which the audio | voice output apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the audio | voice output apparatus based on other embodiment of this invention. It is a matrix figure which shows the content of the audio | voice control of the audio | voice output apparatus based on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

12 TV body (display device)
14a display pattern 14b display pattern 14c display pattern 14d display pattern 20 audio output device 20 'audio output device 21 audio processing unit (control means)
21 'voice processing part (control means)
27a speaker 27b speaker

Claims (8)

An audio output device that outputs audio accompanying video displayed on a display device from a speaker,
An audio signal output device comprising: control means for setting the number of audio channels based on display pattern information indicating a display pattern used by the display device to display the video.   2. The audio signal output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets at least one of a volume and a frequency characteristic of the sound based on the display pattern information. A position detecting means for detecting the position of the speaker;
The sound output apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control means switches the frequency characteristic of the sound to be set in accordance with speaker position information indicating a position of the speaker. A position detecting means for detecting the position of the speaker;
The audio output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means switches the number of channels of the audio to be set according to speaker position information indicating a position of the speaker. . A plurality of the above speakers are provided,
5. The audio output device according to claim 3, wherein the audio is output from a speaker other than a predetermined position determined in advance among the plurality of speakers. 6. A battery charger for charging the speaker;
The charger includes charging state detection means for detecting whether or not the speaker is being charged,
The position detection means determines whether or not the speaker is in a predetermined position from charge state information indicating whether or not the speaker is being charged, and uses the determination result as the speaker position information. The sound output device according to claim 3, wherein the sound output device is a sound output device.   A program for operating the audio output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the program causes a computer to function as each of the above means.   A computer-readable recording medium in which the program according to claim 7 is recorded.

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