Method of auto-configuring audio-video signals and associated apparatus

• US 8,054,384 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2006
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xueshan Technologies Inc. (Wi-LAN Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MStar Semiconductor Incorporated (MediaTek, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Sterling, Yang, Steve Wiyi, Jong, Her-Ming, Yung, Henry Tin-Hang
• Primary Examiner(s): NATNAEL, PAULOS M
• Application Number:
  US11/616,297
• Publication Number:
  US 20070153131A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,777 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 348/705
• CPC Class Codes: H03H 7/38 Impedance-matching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/268 Signal distribution or switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver

Abstract

An AV switching method capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals and associated apparatus is provided. An audio-video detector capable of auto-configuring the AV input signals includes an audio-video detecting module, an impedance adjustment module, and an audio-video switching module. The audio-video detecting module receives and detects the AV input signals to generate an AV detecting result. The impedance adjustment module adjusts matching impedance for the AV input signals according to the AV detecting result. The audio-video switching module switches the AV input signals to output AV output signals according to the AV detecting result.

Claims

1. An audio-video switching device capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals comprising:

an audio-video detecting module for receiving and detecting the AV input signals to generate an AV detecting result, the audio-video detecting module comprising;

an input end for receiving one of the AV input signals;

a current source coupled to the input end for providing a current to the input end;

an ADC coupled to the input end for measuring a voltage value of the input end; and

an audio-video judgment device coupled to the ADC for determining a type of the AV input signal according to the voltage value;

an impedance adjustment module coupled to the audio-video detecting module for adjusting a matching impedance for the AV input signals according to the AV detecting result; and

an audio-video switching module coupled to the impedance adjustment module for switching the AV input signals to output a plurality of AV output signals according to the AV detecting result.

2. The audio-video switching device of claim 1 wherein the audio-video detecting module determines whether each AV input signal is a composite video broadcast signal (CVBS), a Y signal, a Pb signal, a Pr signal or an audio signal.

3. The audio-video switching device of claim 1 wherein the impedance adjustment module comprises a plurality of impedance adjustment units, each impedance adjustment unit comprising:

an input resistor; and

a switch coupled to the input resistor and to the audio-video detecting module for controlling the switch according to the AV detecting result.

4. The audio-video switching device of claim 1 wherein the audio-video switching module comprises a plurality of many-to-one selectors, each many-to-one selector receiving the AV input signals and choosing one from the AV input signals to output according to the AV detecting result.

5. A method capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals comprising:

receiving and detecting the AV input signals to generate an AV detecting result, wherein the step of receiving and detecting the AV input signals comprises;

receiving one of the AV input signals by an input end;

providing a current to the input end;

measuring a voltage value of the input end; and

determining a type of the AV input signal received by the input end according to the voltage value;

adjusting a matching impedance for the AV input signals according to the AV detecting result; and

switching the AV input signals to output a plurality of AV output signals according to the AV detecting result.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

updating a configuration table and an on-screen display (OSD) menu according to the AV detecting result.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the AV detecting result indicates a type of each AV input signal.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the type includes non-connected, an audio signal, a CVBS signal, a Y signal, a Pb signal, and a Pr signal.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting and receiving the AV input signals comprises determining whether the type is an audio signal according to an impedance of said each AV input signal.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting and receiving the AV input signals comprises determining the type is a CVBS signal when a synchronization signal and a color burst signal are both present.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting and receiving the AV input signals determines the type according to a color space statistic.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of detecting and receiving the AV input signals determines the type is a Y signal when a synchronization signal is present.

13. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

inquiring a user whether a displayed color is correct;

swapping a Pb signal with a Pr signal; and

updating a configuration table and an on-screen display menu.

14. An audio-video detector capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals comprising:

an input end for receiving an AV input signal of the AV input signals;

a switch coupled to the input end;

a resistor coupled to the switch;

a current source coupled to the input end for providing a current to the input end;

an ADC coupled to the input end and to the current source for measuring a voltage value of the input end; and

an audio-video judgment device coupled to the ADC for determining a type of the AV input signal according to the voltage value;

wherein the audio-video judgment device turns on the switch when the type is determined to be an audio signal.

15. The audio-video detector of claim 14 wherein the type includes a composite video broadcast signal (CVBS), an audio signal, a Y signal, a Pb signal, and a Pr signal.

16. A multimedia device capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals comprising:

an audio-video switching device comprising;

an audio-video detecting module for receiving and detecting the AV input signals to generate an AV detecting result;

an impedance adjustment module coupled to the audio-video detecting module for adjusting a matching impedance for the AV input signals according to the AV detecting result; and

an audio-video switching module coupled to the impedance adjustment module for switching the AV input signals to output a plurality of AV output signals according to the AV detecting result; and

an audio-video processing device coupled to the audio-video switching device for receiving and processing the AV output signals, wherein the audio-video processing device comprises;

an ADC coupled to the audio-video detecting module for measuring a voltage value for each AV input signal; and

a microprocessor coupled to the ADC for controlling the audio-video detecting module, the impedance adjustment module and the audio-video switching module.

17. The multimedia device of claim 16 where the audio-video processing device comprises:

a video multiplexer coupled to the audio-video switching module for receiving a plurality of video signals of the AV output signals and at least one external video signal and for selecting one set of video signals from said video signals; and

an audio multiplexer coupled to the audio-video switching module for receiving a plurality of audio signals of the AV output signals and at least one external audio signal and for selecting one set of audio signals from these audio signals.

18. A multimedia device capable of auto-configuring a plurality of AV input signals comprising:

a control chip; and

an audio-video connection port coupled to the control chip for receiving the AV input signals;

wherein the control chip detects a type for each AV input signal to auto-configure a sequence of the AV input signals, wherein the control chip determines whether said each AV input signal is a Pb signal or a Pr signal according to a color space statistic.

19. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the control chip adjusts a matching impedance for the AV input signals.

20. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the control chip determines whether said each AV input signal is an audio signal according to an impedance of said each AV input signal.

21. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the control chip determines whether said each AV input signal is a composite video broadcast signal according to a synchronization signal and a color burst signal.

22. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the control chip determines whether said each AV input signal is a Y signal according to a synchronization signal.

23. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the audio-video connection port includes three audio-video connectors for connecting a composite video broadcast signal terminal, a left audio signal terminal, and a right audio signal terminal.

24. The multimedia device of claim 18 wherein the audio-video connection port includes six audio-video connectors for connecting a composite video broadcast signal terminal, a Y signal terminal, a Pb signal terminal, a Pr signal terminal, a left audio signal terminal, and a right audio signal terminal.