Method for equalizing audio, and video apparatus using the same

• US 8,600,075 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2008
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lim, Soo-chan
• Primary Examiner(s): Lun-See, Lao
• Application Number:
  US12/041,124
• Publication Number:
  US 20090067664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,101 Days
• Field of Search: 381/102, 381104-109, 381/56, 381/57, 381/1, 381/300, 381/311, 381/98, 381/77, 381/17, 381/67, 381/103, 700/94, 348/14.08, 348/739, 348/158, 345/204, 353/15, 847/24, 333/28.R
• US Class Current: 381/103
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 7/307 Frequency adjustment, e.g. tone control H04S7/301 takes precedence

Abstract

A method for equalizing audio and a video apparatus using the audio equalizing method are provided. The method for equalizing audio includes detecting the distance between a speaker mounted in a video apparatus and a reflective surface, and equalizing an audio signal to be output from the speaker based on the detected distance. Accordingly, attenuation of audio output is reduced, so audio output is optimized.

Claims

1. A method for equalizing audio, the method comprising:

detecting a distance between a speaker and a reflective surface; and

equalizing an audio signal to be output from the speaker based on the detected distance,

wherein the reflective surface is a floor or a table, and

wherein the speaker is mounted in a video apparatus, and a tympanum of the speaker faces the reflective surface,

wherein the detection operation comprises;

receiving information on whether the video apparatus is a stand-alone type or a wall-mounted type;

detecting pre-stored distance information if the video apparatus is the stand-alone type; and

receiving information on the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface from the user if the video apparatus is the wall-mounted type.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the equalizing the audio signal comprises, reading out an adjustment value corresponding to the detected distance from among adjustment values necessary to generate an optimal audio signal according to the distance and the audio signal is equalized using the read-out adjusting value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjustment values are a list of values comprising a frequency value and a decibel level.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface is detected using an ultrasonic wave sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface is detected based on information input by a user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the video apparatus is a display apparatus comprising the speaker.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the display apparatus is a television, the speaker is mounted on the bottom of the television, and a tympanum of the speaker faces downwards.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a material of the reflective surface,

wherein the audio signal to be output from the speaker is equalized based on the material of the reflective surface and the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the speaker is mounted on the bottom of a video apparatus, and the tympanum of the speaker faces downwards.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a speaker which outputs an audio signal;

an equalizer unit which equalizes the audio signal; and

a control unit which detects the distance between the speaker and a reflective surface, and operates the equalizer unit to equalize the audio signal based on the detected distance,

wherein the reflective surface is a floor or a table, and

wherein a tympanum of the speaker faces the reflective surface,

wherein the detecting the distance comprises;

receiving information on whether the apparatus is a stand-alone type or a wall-mounted type;

detecting pre-stored distance information if the apparatus is the stand-alone type; and

receiving information on the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface from the user if the apparatus is the wall-mounted type.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a memory unit which stores adjustment values necessary to generate an optimal audio signal according to the detected distance,

wherein the control unit reads out an adjustment value corresponding to the detected distance from the memory unit, and equalizes the audio signal using the read-out adjustment value.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the adjustment values are a list of values comprising a frequency value and a decibel level.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an ultrasonic wave sensor unit which detects the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface,

wherein the control unit detects the distance using the ultrasonic wave sensor unit.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an input unit which receives information on the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface from a user,

wherein the control unit detects the distance based on the distance information input to the input unit by the user.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is a display apparatus comprising the speaker.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display apparatus is a television, the speaker is mounted on the bottom of the television, and a tympanum of the speaker faces downwards.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the control unit operates the equalizer unit to equalize the audio signal based on the material of the reflective surface and the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the apparatus is a video apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the speaker is mounted on the bottom of a video apparatus, and the tympanum of the speaker faces downwards.

20. A video apparatus comprising:

a speaker which outputs an audio signal;

an equalizer unit which equalizes the audio signal; and

a control unit which determines a material of a reflective surface, and controls the equalizer unit to equalize the audio signal based on the determined material of the reflective surface and the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface,

wherein the speaker is mounted in the video apparatus, and a tympanum of the speaker faces the reflective surface.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the reflective surface is a floor or a table.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising a memory unit which stores adjustment values necessary to generate an optimal audio signal according to the detected distance,

wherein the control unit reads out an adjustment value corresponding to the detected distance from the memory unit, and equalizes the audio signal using the read-out adjustment value.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising an ultrasonic wave sensor unit which detects the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface,

wherein the control unit detects the distance using the ultrasonic wave sensor unit.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the control unit operates the equalizer unit to equalize the audio signal based on the material of the reflective surface and the distance between the speaker and the reflective surface.