Sound bar device and setting method thereof

Abstract

To provide a sound bar device and a setting method thereof for realizing an optimal surround environment according to the screen width of a television device.SOLUTION: A sound bar device 1 constituting a home theater system including a television device includes first to third housings each accommodating a speaker. The second housing 11 is removable on the left side of the first housing 10, the third housing 12 can be attached to and removed from the right side of the first housing. Further, the first housing is a main housing, and the second casing and third casing are sub-housings. The main housing extracts an audio signal of a channel assigned to a speaker housed in the main housing from a multi-channel audio signal received by the television device, reproduces it, and outputs it from the speaker. The audio signal of the channel assigned to the speaker included in the sub-housing is extracted and transmitted to each sub-housing. The sub-housing receives the audio signal from the main housing, reproduces it, and outputs it from the speaker housed in the sub-housing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a sound bar device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a home theater system combining a sound bar device with a television device has become widespread. The sound bar device is a speaker system in which speakers of a plurality of channels are housed in the same housing. Compared with the case where the speakers of each channel are installed individually, the installation space efficiency is good and the installation work is easy. Therefore, by using the sound bar device, it is possible to easily realize a surround audio playback environment even in a general household with space constraints (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Normally, in a sound bar device, the speakers of each channel are housed in a housing in a predetermined layout so that an optimal surround environment can be realized when the device is installed below a television device. However, in recent years, television devices using LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), organic EL (Electro Luminescence), etc. have larger screens. If the width of the sound bar device is narrow for such a large-screen television device, the spread of surround sound will be insufficient with respect to the size of the video projected on the screen, and an optimal surround environment cannot be realized. On the other hand, if the sound bar device is replaced every time the television device with a large screen is replaced, the cost will increase significantly.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a soundbar device that can realize an optimal surround sound environment according to the screen width of a television device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the soundbar device of the present invention comprises a first housing having a speaker assigned to the center channel on its front, a second housing having a speaker assigned to the left channel on its front and detachably attached to the left side of the first housing, and a third housing having a speaker assigned to the right channel on its front and detachably attached to the right side of the first housing, one of these first to third housings being the main housing and the other two being sub-housings. The main housing receives a multi-channel audio signal transmitted from an external device (audio-visual equipment such as a television system), extracts and reproduces the audio signal of the channel assigned to its own speaker from this multi-channel audio signal, and outputs it from this speaker, while also extracting and transmitting the audio signal of the channel assigned to the speaker in each sub-housing. On the other hand, the sub-housing receives and reproduces the audio signal from the main housing and outputs it from the speaker it houses.

[0007] For example, the present invention is A soundbar device having multiple speakers, A first housing having the speaker to which the center channel is assigned on the front, The first housing has a speaker on the front, to which the left channel is assigned, and a second housing is detachable to the left side of the first housing, The first housing has a speaker on the front to which a light channel is assigned, and a third housing that is detachable to the right side of the first housing, One of the first, second, and third enclosures is the main enclosure, and the remaining two are sub-enclosures. The aforementioned main enclosure is External device connection means for connecting to an external device that transmits multi-channel audio signals, A main playback means that extracts and plays back the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speaker it possesses from the multi-channel audio signal received from the external device, and outputs them from the speaker. Each of the sub-enclosures is provided with an audio signal transmission means that extracts and transmits the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speakers of the sub-enclosure from the multi-channel audio signals received from the external device. The aforementioned sub-enclosure is Audio signal receiving means for receiving audio signals from the main housing, It includes a sub-playback means that plays back the audio signal received from the main enclosure and outputs it from its own speaker. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, since the second housing that houses the speaker assigned to the left channel and the third housing that houses the speaker assigned to the right channel are detachable from the first housing that houses the speaker assigned to the center channel, if the width of the soundbar device is narrower than the screen width of the external television device, the second and third housings can be separated from the first housing and arranged to match the screen width of the television device, thereby realizing an optimal surround sound environment according to the screen width of the television device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a home theater system including a soundbar device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figures 2(A) to 2(D) are schematic front view, schematic top view, schematic left side view, and schematic right side view of the soundbar device 1. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the first housing 10 which is the main housing. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the second housing 11 which is the sub housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the third housing 12 which is the sub housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation mode setting process of the sound bar device 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an installation example in the default playback mode of the sound bar device 1. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an installation example in the channel change playback mode of the sound bar device 1.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a home theater system including the sound bar device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0012] As shown in the figure, the home theater system according to the present embodiment includes a sound bar device 1, a controller 2 for remotely operating the sound bar device 1, and a television device 3 using an LCD, an organic EL, etc.

[0013] The sound bar device 1 and the television device 3 are interconnected by a communication interface such as HDMI (registered trademark: High Definition Multimedia Interface). Further, the sound bar device 1 and the controller 2 are interconnected via an access point 4 connected to a network 5 such as a WAN (Wide Area Network) or a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0014] FIG. 2(A) to FIG. 2(D) are a schematic front view, a schematic top view, a schematic left side view, and a schematic right side view of the sound bar device 1.

[0015] As shown in the drawing, the sound bar device 1 includes a first housing 10 that is a main housing, and a second housing 11 and a third housing 12 that are sub-housings.

[0016] The first housing 10 and the second housing 11 are provided with a detaching mechanism 13-1 for detachably attaching the second housing 11 to the left side of the first housing 10. This detaching mechanism 13-1 may connect the two housings 10 and 11 by a mechanical structure of two parts, such as providing a convex portion on either the left side surface of the first housing 10 or the right side surface of the second housing 11 and providing a concave portion that fits with this convex portion on the other side. Alternatively, it may connect the two housings 10 and 11 by utilizing a physical force acting between two members, such as installing a magnet on either the left side surface of the first housing 10 or the right side surface of the second housing 11 and installing a metal plate that is attracted to this magnet on the other side.

[0017] Further, the first housing 10 and the third housing 12 are provided with a detaching mechanism 13-2 for detachably attaching the third housing 12 to the right side of the first housing 10. This detaching mechanism 13-2, similar to the detaching mechanism 13-1, may connect the two housings 10 and 12 by a mechanical structure of two parts, such as installing a convex portion on either the right side surface of the first housing 10 or the left side surface of the third housing 12 and installing a concave portion that fits with this convex portion on the other side. Alternatively, it may connect the two housings 10 and 12 by utilizing a physical force acting between two members, such as installing a magnet on one of the right side surface of the first housing 10 and the left side surface of the third housing 12 and installing a metal plate that is attracted to this magnet on the other side.

[0018] The first enclosure 10 has a center channel speaker 101-1 and a subwoofer channel speaker 101-2 positioned on its front; the second enclosure 11 has a left channel speaker 111-1, a height channel speaker 111-2, and a left surround channel speaker 111-3 positioned on its front, top, and left side, respectively; and the third enclosure 12 has a right channel speaker 121-1, a height channel speaker 121-2, and a right surround channel speaker 121-3 positioned on its front, top, and right side, respectively.

[0019] Here, the left surround channel speaker 111-3 is installed on the left side of the second enclosure 11 so as to emit sound to the left front, the right surround channel speaker 121-3 is installed on the right side of the third enclosure 12 so as to emit sound to the right front, and the height channel speakers 111-2 and 121-2 are installed on the top surfaces of the second enclosure 11 and the third enclosure 12, respectively, so as to emit sound to the upper front.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure.

[0021] As shown in the figure, the main enclosure, the first enclosure 10, includes the aforementioned center channel speaker 101-1 and subwoofer channel speaker 101-2, as well as a television device interface unit 102, a sub-enclosure interface unit 103, a wireless LAN interface unit 104, a main playback unit 105, an audio signal transmission unit 106, and a main control unit 107.

[0022] The television device interface unit 102 is a communication interface for connecting to the television device 3 via HDMI (registered trademark).

[0023] The sub-enclosure interface unit 103 is a communication interface for connecting to the second enclosure 11 and the third enclosure 12, which are sub-enclosures, via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0024] The wireless LAN interface unit 104 is a communication interface for connecting to the access point 4 via wireless LAN.

[0025] The main playback unit 105 extracts and plays the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speakers it houses from the multi-channel audio signal received from the television device 3 via the television device interface unit 102, and outputs them from the speakers it houses. In this embodiment, the audio signals of the center channel and subwoofer channel are extracted and played from the multi-channel audio signal, and output from the center channel speaker 101-1 and the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2, respectively.

[0026] The audio signal transmission unit 106 extracts the audio signals for the channels assigned to the speakers housed in each sub-chassis from the multi-channel audio signals received from the television device 3 via the television device interface unit 102, and transmits them to the sub-chassis via the sub-chassis interface unit 103.

[0027] In this embodiment, when the sub-chassis, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, are in the default playback mode described later, the audio signal transmission unit 106 extracts the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal and transmits a multi-channel audio signal containing these audio signals to the second chassis 11. It also extracts the right channel, right surround channel, and height channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal and transmits a multi-channel audio signal containing these audio signals to the third chassis 12. Furthermore, when the sub-chassis, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, are in the channel change playback mode described later, the audio signal transmission unit 106 extracts the right channel, right surround channel, and height channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal and transmits a multi-channel audio signal containing these audio signals to the second chassis 11. It also extracts the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal and transmits a multi-channel audio signal containing these audio signals to the third chassis 12.

[0028] The main control unit 107 comprehensively controls the various parts 101-1, 101-2, 102-106 of the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure.

[0029] Furthermore, when the main control unit 107 receives a channel change instruction from the controller 2 via the wireless LAN interface unit 104, it switches the sub-chassis units, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, from the default playback mode to the channel change playback mode.

[0030] Specifically, the channels assigned to the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 housed in the second enclosure 11 are changed to the right channel, right surround channel, and height channel, respectively, and a channel change notification is sent to the second enclosure 11 via the sub-enclosure interface unit 103. In addition, the channels assigned to the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3 housed in the third enclosure 12 are changed to the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel, respectively, and a channel change notification is sent to the third enclosure 12 via the sub-enclosure interface unit 103.

[0031] Furthermore, when the main control unit 107 receives a channel recovery instruction from the controller 2 via the wireless LAN interface unit 104, it switches the sub-chassis units, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, from channel change playback mode to default playback mode.

[0032] Specifically, the channels assigned to the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 housed in the second housing 11 are restored to the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel, respectively, and a channel restoration notification is sent to the second housing 11 via the sub-housing interface unit 103. In addition, the channels assigned to the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3 housed in the third housing 12 are restored to the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel, respectively, and a channel restoration notification is sent to the third housing 12 via the sub-housing interface unit 103.

[0033] In the initial state of the soundbar device 1 (when powered on), the sub-chassis units, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, are set to default playback mode. The main control unit 107 assigns the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel to the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 housed in the second chassis 11, and assigns the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel to the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3 housed in the third chassis 12.

[0034] The functional configuration of the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure shown in Figure 3, may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor).

[0035] Figure 4 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the second enclosure 11, which is a sub-enclosure.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the second enclosure 11, which is a sub-enclosure, includes the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 mentioned above, as well as a main enclosure interface unit 112, an audio signal receiving unit 113, a sub-playback unit 114, and a main control unit 115.

[0037] The main enclosure interface unit 112 is a communication interface for connecting to the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure, via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0038] The audio signal receiving unit 113 receives multi-channel audio signals, including the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speakers 111-1 to 111-3 housed in the second housing 11, from the first housing 10, which is the main housing, via the main housing interface unit 112.

[0039] The sub-playback unit 114 plays back the multi-channel audio signal received by the audio signal receiving unit 113 from the main housing, the first housing 10, for each channel, and outputs the audio signal of each played-back channel from the corresponding speakers 111-1 to 111-3.

[0040] Specifically, in the default playback mode, the multi-channel audio signal received from the first chassis 10 is played back for each left channel, height channel, and left surround channel, and the played-back left channel audio signal, height channel audio signal, and left surround channel audio signal are output from the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3, respectively. In the channel change playback mode, the multi-channel audio signal received from the first chassis 10 is played back for each right channel, right surround channel, and height channel, and the played-back right channel audio signal, right surround channel audio signal, and height channel audio signal are output from the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3, respectively.

[0041] The main control unit 115 comprehensively controls the various parts 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, 112-114 of the second housing 11, which is a sub-housing.

[0042] Furthermore, when the main control unit 115 receives a channel change notification from the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure, via the main enclosure interface unit 112, it changes the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 114 from the default playback mode to the channel change playback mode. When it receives a channel recovery notification, it changes the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 114 back from the channel change playback mode to the default playback mode.

[0043] The functional configuration of the second enclosure 11, which is a sub-enclosure shown in Figure 4, may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs and FPGAs, or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP, similar to the functional configuration of the first enclosure 10, which is a main enclosure shown in Figure 3.

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic functional configuration diagram of the third enclosure 12, which is a sub-enclosure.

[0045] As shown in the figure, the third enclosure 12, which is a sub-enclosure, includes the aforementioned light channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 122-2, and light surround channel speaker 121-3, as well as a main enclosure interface unit 122, an audio signal receiving unit 123, a sub-playback unit 124, and a main control unit 125.

[0046] The main enclosure interface section 122 is a communication interface for connecting to the first enclosure 10, which is the main enclosure, via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0047] The audio signal receiving unit 123 receives multi-channel audio signals, including the audio signals of the channels assigned to the speakers 121-1 to 121-3 housed in the third housing 12, from the first housing 10, which is the main housing, via the main housing interface unit 122.

[0048] The sub-playback unit 124 plays back the multi-channel audio signal received by the audio signal receiving unit 123 from the main housing, the first housing 10, for each channel, and outputs the audio signal of each played-back channel from the corresponding speakers 121-1 to 121-3.

[0049] Specifically, in default playback mode, the multi-channel audio signal received from the first chassis 10 is played back for each of the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel, and the played-back right channel audio signal, height channel audio signal, and right surround channel audio signal are output from the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3, respectively. In channel change playback mode, the multi-channel audio signal received from the first chassis 10 is played back for each of the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel, and the played-back left channel audio signal, left surround channel audio signal, and height channel audio signal are output from the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3, respectively.

[0050] The main control unit 125 comprehensively controls the various parts 121-1, 121-2, 121-3, 122-124 of the third housing 12, which is a sub-housing.

[0051] Furthermore, when the main control unit 125 receives a channel change notification from the first housing 10, which is the main housing, via the main housing interface unit 122, it changes the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 124 from the default playback mode to the channel change playback mode. When it receives a channel recovery notification, it changes the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 124 back from the channel change playback mode to the default playback mode.

[0052] The functional configuration of the third enclosure 12, which is a sub-enclosure shown in Figure 5, may be implemented in hardware using integrated logic ICs such as ASICs and FPGAs, or it may be implemented in software using a computer such as a DSP, similar to the functional configurations of the first enclosure 10, which is a main enclosure shown in Figure 3, and the second enclosure 11, which is a sub-enclosure shown in Figure 4.

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the process for setting the operating mode of the soundbar device 1.

[0054] In the main enclosure, the first enclosure 10, when the main control unit 107 receives a channel change instruction from the controller 2 via the wireless LAN interface unit 104 (YES in S100), it changes the channels assigned to the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 housed in the second enclosure 11 to the right channel, right surround channel, and height channel, respectively (S101). It also changes the channels assigned to the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3 housed in the third enclosure 12 to the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel, respectively (S102). Then, the main control unit 107 sends channel change notifications to the sub-enclosures, the second enclosure 11 and the third enclosure 12, via the sub-enclosure interface unit 103, respectively (S103).

[0055] Next, in the sub-enclosure, the second enclosure 11, when the main control unit 115 receives a channel change notification from the main enclosure, the first enclosure 10, via the main enclosure interface unit 112, it switches the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 114 from the default playback mode to the channel change playback mode. Similarly, in the sub-enclosure, the third enclosure 12, when the main control unit 125 receives a channel change notification from the main enclosure, the first enclosure 10, via the main enclosure interface unit 122, it switches the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 124 from the default playback mode to the channel change playback mode (S104).

[0056] Furthermore, in the main enclosure, the first enclosure 10, when the main control unit 107 receives a channel recovery instruction from the controller 2 via the wireless LAN interface unit 104 (YES in S105), it recovers the channels assigned to the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3 housed in the second enclosure 11 to the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel, respectively (S106). It also changes the channels assigned to the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3 housed in the third enclosure 12 to the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel, respectively (S107). Then, the main control unit 107 sends channel recovery notifications to the sub-enclosures, the second enclosure 11 and the third enclosure 12, via the sub-enclosure interface unit 103, respectively (S108).

[0057] Next, in the sub-chassis, the second chassis 11, when the main control unit 115 receives a channel recovery notification from the main chassis, the first chassis 10, via the main chassis interface unit 112, it switches the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 114 from channel change playback mode to default playback mode. Similarly, in the sub-chassis, the third chassis 12, when the main control unit 125 receives a channel recovery notification from the main chassis, the first chassis 10, via the main chassis interface unit 122, it switches the playback mode of the sub-playback unit 124 from channel change playback mode to default playback mode (S109).

[0058] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the soundbar device 1 in its default playback mode.

[0059] In the home theater system according to this embodiment shown in Figure 1, if, for example, the width of the soundbar unit 1 becomes smaller than the screen width of the television unit 3 due to replacing the television unit 3 with a larger one, the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 are separated from the first housing 10, as shown in Figure 7, and the second housing 11 is moved to the left end of the television unit 3, while the third housing 12 is moved to the right end of the television unit 3. As a result, the left channel speaker 111-1 is positioned to emit sound forward from the lower left end of the television unit 3, the height channel speaker 111-2 is positioned to emit sound upward and forward from the lower left end of the television unit 3, and the left surround channel speaker 111-3 is positioned to emit sound left and forward from the lower left end of the television unit 3. Furthermore, the right channel speaker 121-1 is positioned to emit sound forward from the lower right end of the television device 3, the height channel speaker 121-2 is positioned to emit sound upward and forward from the lower right end of the television device 3, and the right surround channel speaker 121-3 is positioned to emit sound to the right and forward from the lower right end of the television device 3.

[0060] Therefore, when this arrangement is adopted, by operating the second enclosure 11 and the third enclosure 12 in default playback mode, the left channel audio signal is emitted forward from the lower left end of the television device 3 by the left channel speaker 111-1, the left surround channel audio signal is emitted left forward from the lower left end of the television device 3 by the left surround channel speaker 111-3, the right channel audio signal is emitted forward from the lower right end of the television device 3 by the right channel speaker 121-1, the right surround channel audio signal is emitted right forward from the lower right end of the television device 3 by the right surround channel speaker 121-3, and the height channel audio signal is emitted upward forward from the lower left and right ends of the television device 3 by the height channel speakers 111-2 and 121-2. Furthermore, since the center channel speaker 101-1 and the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2 are positioned on the front of the first housing 10 located at the lower center of the television device 3, the audio signals for the center channel and subwoofer channel are emitted forward from the lower center of the television device 3 by the center channel speaker 101-1 and the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal surround sound environment according to the screen width of the television device 3.

[0061] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation of the soundbar device 1 in channel change playback mode.

[0062] In the home theater system shown in Figure 1, if, for example, the width of the soundbar unit 1 becomes smaller than the screen width of the television unit 3 due to replacing the television unit 3 with a larger one, as shown in Figure 8, the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 are separated from the first housing 10, the second housing 11 is moved to the right end of the television unit 3 and installed with its right side facing down so that the height channel speaker 111-2 is on the right side, and the third housing 12 is moved to the left end of the television unit 3 and installed with its left side facing down so that the height channel speaker 121-2 is on the right side. As a result, the left channel speaker 111-1 is positioned to emit sound forward from the right end of the television unit 3, the height channel speaker 111-2 is positioned to emit sound forward to the right from the right end of the television unit 3, and the left surround channel speaker 111-3 is positioned to emit sound upward and forward from the right end of the television unit 3. Furthermore, the right channel speaker 121-1 is positioned to emit sound forward from the left end of the television device 3, the height channel speaker 121-2 is positioned to emit sound forward to the left from the left end of the television device 3, and the right surround channel speaker 121-3 is positioned to emit sound upward and forward from the left end of the television device 3.

[0063] Therefore, when this arrangement is adopted, by operating the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 in channel change playback mode, the left channel audio signal is emitted from the left end of the television device 3 toward the front by the right channel speaker 121-1, the left surround channel audio signal is emitted from the left end of the television device 3 toward the left front by the height channel speaker 121-2, the right channel audio signal is emitted from the right end of the television device 3 toward the front by the left channel speaker 111-1, the right surround channel audio signal is emitted from the right end of the television device 3 toward the right front by the height channel speaker 111-2, and the height channel audio signal is emitted from the left and right ends of the television device 3 toward the upper front by the right surround channel speaker 121-3 and the left surround channel speaker 111-3. Furthermore, since the center channel speaker 101-1 and the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2 are positioned on the front of the first housing 10 located at the lower center of the television device 3, the center channel audio signal and the subwoofer channel audio signal are emitted forward from the lower center of the television device 3 by the center channel speaker 101-1 and the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2. This makes it possible to achieve an optimal surround sound environment according to the screen width of the television device 3.

[0064] One embodiment of the present invention has been described above.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the second housing 11 housing the left channel speaker 111-1 and the third housing 12 housing the right channel speaker 121-1 are detachable from the first housing 10 housing the center channel speaker 101-1. Therefore, if the width of the soundbar device 1 is narrower than the screen width of the television device 3, the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 can be separated from the first housing 10, and these first to third housings 10 to 12 can be arranged to match the screen width of the television device 3, thereby realizing an optimal surround sound environment corresponding to the screen width of the television device 3.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second housing 11 houses a height channel speaker 111-2 on its top surface and a left surround speaker 111-3 on its left side, while the third housing 12 houses a height channel speaker 121-2 on its top surface and a left surround speaker 121-3 on its right side.

[0067] Here, if the sub-chassis units, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, are set to default playback mode, the main chassis unit, the first chassis 10, extracts the audio signals for the left channel, right channel, height channel, left surround channel, and right surround channel from the multi-channel audio signal received from the television device 3, and transmits a multi-channel audio signal including the audio signals for the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel to the second chassis 11, and also transmits a multi-channel audio signal including the audio signals for the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel to the third chassis 12. The second enclosure 11 extracts and plays the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal received from the first enclosure 10, and outputs them from the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3, respectively. The third enclosure 12 extracts and plays the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel audio signals from the multi-channel audio signal received from the first enclosure 10, and outputs them from the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3, respectively.

[0068] Furthermore, when the sub-chassis units, the second chassis 11 and the third chassis 12, are set to channel change playback mode, the main chassis unit, the first chassis 10, extracts the audio signals for the left channel, right channel, height channel, left surround channel, and right surround channel from the multi-channel audio signal received from the television device 3, and transmits a multi-channel audio signal including the audio signals for the right channel, height channel, and right surround channel to the second chassis 11, and also transmits a multi-channel audio signal including the audio signals for the left channel, height channel, and left surround channel to the third chassis 12. The second enclosure 11 extracts and plays back the audio signals for the right channel, right surround channel, and height channel from the multi-channel audio signal received from the first enclosure 10, and outputs them from the left channel speaker 111-1, height channel speaker 111-2, and left surround channel speaker 111-3, respectively. The third enclosure 12 extracts and plays back the audio signals for the left channel, left surround channel, and height channel from the multi-channel audio signal received from the first enclosure 10, and outputs them from the right channel speaker 121-1, height channel speaker 121-2, and right surround channel speaker 121-3, respectively.

[0069] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 are arranged separately from the first housing 10, in either of the installation examples shown in Figures 7 and 8, it becomes possible to emit the audio signal for each channel from the correct position, increasing the degree of freedom in the installation of the first to third housings 10 to 12 and improving convenience.

[0070] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and numerous modifications are possible within the scope of its essence.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the first housing 10 is the main housing, and the second housing 11 and the third housing 12 are sub-housings. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first housing 10 may be a sub-housing, and either the second housing 11 or the third housing 12 may be the main housing. In this case, the first housing 10, which is a sub-housing, is provided with the main housing interface units 112, 122, audio signal receiving units 113, 123, sub-playback units 114, 124, and main control units 115, 125 shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5, instead of the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2, sub-housing interface unit 103, wireless LAN interface unit 104, main playback unit 105, audio signal transmission unit 106, and main control unit 107 shown in Figure 3. Furthermore, the second or third enclosure 12, which is the main enclosure, is provided with a sub-enclosure interface unit 103, a wireless LAN interface unit 104, a main playback unit 105, an audio signal transmission unit 106, and a main control unit 107, as shown in Figure 3, instead of the main enclosure interface units 112, 122, audio signal receiving units 113, 123, sub-playback units 114, 124, and main control units 115, 125 shown in Figure 4 or 5.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the subwoofer channel speaker 101-2 may be omitted from the first housing 10. Also, at least one of the height channel speaker 111-2 and the left surround channel speaker 111-3 may be omitted from the second housing 11. Similarly, at least one of the height channel speaker 121-2 and the right surround channel speaker 121-3 may be omitted from the third housing 12.

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® is used for communication between the first housing 10 and the second housing 11, and for communication between the first housing 10 and the third housing 12 (sub-housing interface unit 103 in Figure 3, main housing interface unit 112 in Figure 4, and main housing interface unit 122 in Figure 5). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0074] For example, if the second housing 11 is separated from the first housing 10, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® may be used for communication between the first housing 10 and the second housing 11, and if the two are connected by a detachable mechanism 13-1, wired communication such as HDMI® may be used. In this case, the first housing 10 and the second housing 11 are provided with connection terminals that are wired when the two are connected by the detachable mechanism 13-1, and when the two are wired together by these connection terminals, wired communication is used for communication between them, and if they are not wired together, short-range wireless communication is used.

[0075] Similarly, when the third housing 12 is separated from the first housing 10, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth® may be used for communication between the first housing 10 and the third housing 12, and when the two are connected by the attachment / detachment mechanism 13-2, wired communication such as HDMI® may be used. In this case, the first housing 10 and the third housing 12 are provided with connection terminals that are wired when the two are connected by the attachment / detachment mechanism 13-2, and when the two are wired connected by these connection terminals, wired communication is used for communication between them, and when they are not wired connected, short-range wireless communication is used.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, communication between the soundbar device 1 and the controller 2 is performed via the access point 4, but the present invention is not limited to this. Communication between the soundbar device 1 and the controller 2 may also be performed using short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth®.

[0077] Furthermore, the above embodiment was described using the case where the soundbar device 1 is combined with the television device 3 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be broadly applied when the soundbar device 1 is used in combination with audio-visual equipment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0078] 1: Soundbar unit 2: Controller 3: Television unit 4: Access point 5: Network 10: Cabinet 1 11: Cabinet 2 12: Cabinet 3 13-1, 13-2: Detachable mechanism 101-1: Center channel speaker 101-2: Subwoofer channel speaker 111-1: Left channel speaker 111-2, 121-2: Height channel speakers 111-3: Left Surround Channel Speaker 121-1: Light channel speaker 121-3: Light Surround Channel Speakers 102: Television Equipment Interface Unit 103: Sub-chassis interface section 104: Wireless LAN interface unit 105: Main playback unit 106: Audio signal transmission unit 107, 115, 125: Main control unit 112, 122: Main chassis interface section 113, 123: Audio signal receiving section 114, 124: Sub-playback section

Claims

1. A sound bar device having a plurality of speakers, a first housing having the speaker to which the center channel is assigned on the front surface; a second housing having the speaker assigned to the left channel on its front surface and detachable to the left of the first housing; a third housing having the speaker to which a right channel is assigned on a front surface thereof and detachable to the right of the first housing; one of the first housing, the second housing, and the third housing is a main housing, and the remaining two are sub-housings; The main housing includes: an external device connection means for connecting to an external device that transmits multi-channel audio signals; a main playback unit that extracts and plays back audio signals of channels assigned to the speakers of the device itself from the multi-channel audio signals received from the external device, and outputs the audio signals from the speakers; an audio signal transmitting means for extracting, from the multi-channel audio signal received from the external device, audio signals of channels assigned to the speakers of the sub-enclosure and transmitting the audio signals; The sub-housing comprises: an audio signal receiving means for receiving an audio signal from the main housing; a sub-playback means for playing back the audio signal received from the main housing and outputting it from the speaker of the main housing; A sound bar device characterized by:

2. The sound bar device according to claim 1, The second housing and the third housing are The speaker further includes a height channel on the top surface, The main housing includes: a change instruction receiving means for receiving a channel change instruction; and a channel setting means for, when the change instruction receiving means receives the channel change instruction, changing the channels assigned to the speakers on the front and top surfaces of the second housing to the right channel and right surround channel, respectively, and changing the channels assigned to the speakers on the front and top surfaces of the third housing to the left channel and left surround channel, respectively. A sound bar device characterized by:

3. The sound bar device according to claim 2, The second housing includes: The left side further includes the speaker to which the left surround channel is assigned, The third housing comprises: The speaker is further provided on the right side, to which the right surround channel is assigned, The channel setting means When the channel change instruction is received by the change instruction receiving means, the channels assigned to the speaker on the left side of the second housing and the speaker on the right side of the third housing are changed to height channels. A sound bar device characterized by:

4. A method for setting up a sound bar device having speakers for multiple channels, comprising: The sound bar device is a first housing having the speaker to which the center channel is assigned on the front surface; a second housing having the speakers on its front and top surfaces, respectively, and being detachable to the left of the first housing; a third housing having the speakers on the front and top surfaces, respectively, and being detachable to the right of the first housing; When the second housing is disposed on the left side of the first housing with its top surface facing upward, and the third housing is disposed on the right side of the first housing with its top surface facing upward, a left channel and a height channel are assigned to the speakers provided on the front surface and top surface of the second housing, respectively, and a right channel and a height channel are assigned to the speakers provided on the front surface and top surface of the third housing, respectively; When the third housing is placed on the left side of the first housing with its upper surface facing left, and the second housing is placed on the right side of the first housing with its upper surface facing right, the right channel and the right surround channel are assigned to the speakers on the front and top surfaces of the second housing, respectively, and the left channel and the left surround channel are assigned to the speakers on the front and top surfaces of the third housing, respectively. A method for setting up a sound bar device.

5. 5. A method for setting a sound bar device according to claim 4, comprising: The second housing includes: The speaker is further provided on the left side, The third housing comprises: The speaker is further provided on the right side, When the second housing is disposed on the left side of the first housing with its top surface facing upward, and the third housing is disposed on the right side of the first housing with its top surface facing upward, a left surround channel is further assigned to the speaker that the second housing has on its left side, and a right surround channel is further assigned to the speaker that is housed on the right side of the third housing; When the third housing is disposed on the left side of the first housing with its upper surface facing left, and the second housing is disposed on the right side of the first housing with its upper surface facing right, height channels are assigned to the speaker on the left side of the second housing and the speaker on the right side of the third housing, respectively. A method for setting up a sound bar device.

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