Patent Description:
Recently, with the development of audio technology, consumers increasingly want to experience a wide sound stage through an audio device (e.g., a sound bar and an external speaker) connected to a TV.

When sound is output simultaneously from a speaker built in the TV and an outside external device, due to the difference in the audio signal processing time between the TV and the external audio device, there is a problem in synchronization because the sound output from the speaker built in the TV and the sound output from the external audio device do not match.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electronic apparatus that can output sound in synchronization with an audio device. <CIT> relates to a content output apparatus, <CIT> relates to an audio surround processing system, <CIT> relates to a system and method for synchronizing operations among a plurality of independently clocked digital data processing devices, <CIT> relates to cue-based audio coding/decoding, <CIT> relates to an apparatus and method for processing audio signal, and <CIT> relates to audio processing systems and methods.

One or more embodiments provide an electronic apparatus that can be synchronized with an external audio device and output an audio signal.

Embodiments of the disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure an electronic apparatus includes the set of features as defined in claim <NUM>.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure a method of controlling an electronic apparatus comprises the sequence of steps as defined in claim <NUM>.

Preferred embodiments are defined in the set of dependent claims.

The above and/or other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

As used herein, terms the terms "1st" or "first" and "second" or "2nd" may use corresponding components regardless of importance or order and are used to distinguish one component from another without limiting the components. For example, a "first" component may be named a "second" component and the "second" component may also be similarly named the "first" component, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Singular forms used herein are intended to include plural forms unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It is to understood that terms "comprise" or "include" specify the presence of features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts mentioned in the present specification or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numerals, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

In the drawings, portions unrelated to the description may be omitted and similar portions are denoted by similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

<FIG> is a view provided to explain operation of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

An electronic apparatus <NUM> and an external audio device <NUM> may output an audio signal, respectively. For example, each of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may concurrently output audio regarding the same content. In this case, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be synchronized with the external audio device <NUM> and output an audio signal. Specifically, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may control output of a first audio signal <NUM> so that the first audio signal <NUM> output from the electronic apparatus <NUM> is synchronized with a second audio signal <NUM> output from the external audio device <NUM>. Alternatively, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may output the first audio signal <NUM> and transmit a signal to the audio device <NUM> so that the external audio device <NUM> synchronizes the second audio signal <NUM> with the first audio signal <NUM>. Here, the first audio signal <NUM> and the second audio signal <NUM> may be audio signals regarding the same content.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may control output of the first audio signal <NUM> so that a first output timing of the first audio signal <NUM> and a second output timing of the second audio signal are synchronized with each other. For example, if the first output timing of the first audio signal <NUM> precedes the second output timing of the second audio signal <NUM> by more than a predetermined time, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may control output of a speaker included in the electronic apparatus <NUM> so that output of the first audio signal <NUM> is delayed based on a time difference between the first output timing and the second output timing. Accordingly, the first audio signal <NUM> and the second audio signal <NUM> are output within a predetermined time range (i.e., synchronized). Here, the predetermined time corresponds to a time when a user does not recognize a time difference between the first output timing of the first audio signal <NUM> and the second output timing of the second audio signal <NUM>. For example, the predetermined time may be set to <NUM> milliseconds (ms) or less. For example, the predetermined time may be controlled through a user interface provided on the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may control output of the first audio signal <NUM> so that a first output level of the first audio signal <NUM> and a second output level of the second audio signal <NUM> correspond to each other. For example, if the first output level of the first audio signal <NUM> is lower than the second output level of the second audio signal <NUM> by more than a predetermined level, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may control output of a speaker included in the electronic apparatus <NUM> so that the first output level of the first audio signal <NUM> is increased and output. Accordingly, the first audio signal <NUM> and the second audio signal may be output within a predetermined decibel (dB) range.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be a television (TV), and the audio device <NUM> may be a sound bar. However, this is only an example, and the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be a mobile device, and the electronic device <NUM> may be an external speaker, or other electronic apparatus that outputs a voice signal. In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be a speaker that outputs an audio signal.

<FIG> is a block diagram is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may include a communication interface <NUM>, an audio processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a display <NUM>, and a speaker <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily have to include all of the above-described components, and some components may be omitted.

Hereinafter, each component of the electronic apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail.

The communication interface <NUM> may perform communication with various types of external devices according to various types of communication methods. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may perform communication with an external device via wire or wirelessly through the communication interface <NUM>. In this case, the external device may be separate from the electronic apparatus <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may perform communication with the external audio device <NUM> via wire or wirelessly through the communication interface <NUM>.

The communication interface <NUM> may include various types of interfaces. For example, the communication interface <NUM> may include any one or any combination of High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Optical, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc..

According to an embodiment, the electronic apparatus <NUM> is a source device, and may transmit an audio source to the external audio device <NUM> through the communication interface <NUM>. In this case, the communication interface <NUM> may be HDMI, Optical, WiFi, or Bluetooth. According to another embodiment, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may transmit an audio source to the external audio device <NUM> through the communication interface <NUM> after receiving the audio source from an external source device (e.g., a set-top box). In this case, the communication interface <NUM> may be HDMI, Optical, WiFi, or Bluetooth. According to another embodiment, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may receive an audio source from the external audio device <NUM>, and the external audio device <NUM> may receive the audio source from another external source device. In this case, the communication interface <NUM> may be HDMI.

The audio processor <NUM> may include a decoder that decodes an audio source or audio data, a renderer that generates an output signal based on the audio data decoded by the decoder and an audio encoder that generates digital audio data based on the audio data decoded by the decoder. In this case, the audio output signal generated through the renderer may be transmitted to the speaker <NUM> and output through the speaker <NUM>. In addition, the digital audio data generated by the encoder may be transmitted, for example through the communication interface <NUM>, to the external audio device <NUM> and output through the external audio device <NUM>.

The memory <NUM> may store various programs and data required for an operation of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. For example, the memory <NUM> may include a database storing the model name of the electronic apparatus <NUM>, the specification information of hardware/software, the communication speed according to the type of the communication interface <NUM>, the signal processing speed of each component of the electronic apparatus <NUM> according to the data format of input audio data, the signal processing speed regarding the audio data of the audio processor <NUM>, etc..

The memory <NUM> may store at least one instruction. In addition, the processor <NUM> may perform the operation of the electronic apparatus <NUM> by executing instructions stored in the memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> may be implemented as a non-volatile memory, a volatile memory, etc. The memory <NUM> may be a non-transitory memory.

The processor <NUM> may control the overall operations of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. Specifically, the processor <NUM> may control the electronic apparatus <NUM> by executing at least one instruction stored in the memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> according to an embodiment may include one or more of Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Micro Controller Unit (MCU), or may be defined in a corresponding term.

For example, the processor <NUM> may control output of the speaker <NUM> so that the first audio signal output from the speaker <NUM> is synchronized with the second audio signal output from the external audio device <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may control the communication interface <NUM> to transmit a signal for synchronizing the first audio signal and the second audio signal to the external audio device <NUM>.

In addition, the processor <NUM> may obtain a first processing time regarding the first audio signal and a second processing time regarding the second audio signal. In this case, the processor <NUM> may obtain information regarding an input format of the first audio source from the external audio device <NUM> through the communication interface <NUM>, and obtain the first processing time based on the obtained information regarding the input format. In addition, the processor <NUM> may obtain the second processing time from the external audio device <NUM> through the communication interface <NUM>. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may obtain the second processing time based on model information of the external audio device <NUM>.

In this case, the processor <NUM> may control output of the speaker <NUM> based on the first processing time and the second processing time so that a difference between the first output timing of the first audio signal and the second output timing of the second audio signal is less than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the processor <NUM> may control the communication interface <NUM> to transmit a signal to the external audio device <NUM>. In this case, the external audio device <NUM> may control output of a speaker included in the external audio device <NUM> based on the signal transmitted from the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may obtain a delay time based on the first processing time and the second processing time. In this case, the processor <NUM> may control output of the speaker <NUM> based on the delay time so that the first audio signal or the second audio signal is output later than a predetermined time. For example, if the first processing time is less than the second processing time, the processor <NUM> may control output of the speaker <NUM> based on the delay time so that the first audio signal is output later than a first predetermined time. If the first processing time is greater than the second processing time, the processor <NUM> may transmit information regarding the delay time to the external audio device <NUM> through the communication interface <NUM>. In this case, the external audio device <NUM> may control output of a speaker included in the external audio device <NUM> based on the transmitted information regarding the delay time so that the second audio signal is output later than a second predetermined time.

The display <NUM> may display various screens. For example, the display <NUM> may output a video signal which is synchronized with an audio signal output by the speaker <NUM>.

The display <NUM> may be implemented as various types of displays such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) display, Plasma Display Panel (PDP), etc. The display <NUM> may include a driving circuit, a backlight unit, etc., that can be implemented in the form of a-Si thin-film transistor (TFT), low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) TFT, organic TFT (OTFT), etc. In addition, the display <NUM> may be implemented as a flexible display, or may be a touch screen capable of generating an input signal based on a touch input.

The speaker <NUM> may output an audio signal. For example, the speaker <NUM> may output the audio signal by vibrating according to the audio signal. For example, the speaker <NUM> may output audio data obtained through the communication interface <NUM>. In addition, the output of the speaker <NUM> may be controlled by the processor <NUM>. For example, the output timing of the speaker <NUM> may be controlled by the processor <NUM>.

The speaker <NUM> may include various types of speaker modules. For example, the speaker <NUM> may include a woofer speaker, a mid-range speaker, and a tweeter.

In addition, the speaker <NUM> may be disposed at various locations of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. For example, if the electronic apparatus <NUM> is a TV, the speaker <NUM> may be disposed at an upper side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. However, this is only an example, and the speaker <NUM> may be disposed at a lower side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. For example, one speaker module of the speaker <NUM> may be disposed at the upper side of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and another speaker module of the speaker <NUM> may be disposed at the lower side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. In addition, the speaker <NUM> may output an audio signal in various directions. For example, the speaker <NUM> may output an audio signal towards an upper side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. However, this is only an example, and the speaker <NUM> may output an audio signal towards a lower side or a front side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

The external audio device <NUM> may include components corresponding to those discussed above with respect to the electronic apparatus <NUM>. For example, the external audio device <NUM> may include a communication interface, an audio processor, a memory, a processor, and a speaker. In addition, each component of the external audio device <NUM> may correspond to the above-described electronic apparatus <NUM> and may be operated in the same manner. Thus, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may include a first communication interface <NUM>, a first audio processor <NUM>, a first memory <NUM>, a first processor <NUM>, and a first speaker <NUM>. In addition, the first audio processor <NUM> may include a first decoder <NUM>, a first renderer <NUM> and a first encoder <NUM>. Each component of the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be operated in the same manner as the components of the electronic apparatus <NUM> as described in <FIG> and <FIG> and thus, overlapping description will be omitted.

The first communication interface <NUM> may obtain an audio source or audio data of a content. The first decoder <NUM> may decode audio data obtained through the first communication interface <NUM>. Specifically, the first decoder <NUM> may obtain channel setting information (e.g., PCM data) based on the audio data.

The first renderer <NUM> may generate an output signal based on the decoded audio data. In this case, the first renderer <NUM> may perform a mixing and extraction operation for generating an output signal based on the audio data. The first renderer <NUM> will be described in greater detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The audio data rendered by the first renderer <NUM> may be output through the first speaker <NUM>. In this case, the first processor <NUM> may control output of the first speaker <NUM>. Specifically, the first processor <NUM> may generate a signal for controlling output of the first speaker <NUM> based on the audio data decoded by the first decoder <NUM> and reference data stored in the first memory <NUM>. For example, the first processor <NUM> may obtain an input format of an audio source from the decoded audio data. In addition, the first memory <NUM> may store a signal processing time (e.g., a decoding time) related to the input format of the audio source. In this case, the first processor <NUM> may obtain a signal processing time related to the input format of the audio source based on the input format of the audio source. The first processor <NUM> may control an output timing of the first speaker <NUM> based on the obtained signal processing time. For example, if the data processing time of an external audio device that is synchronized with the electronic apparatus <NUM> and outputs an audio signal is greater than the data processing time of the electronic apparatus <NUM>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may control the output timing of the first speaker <NUM> so that an output signal is output by being delayed.

The first encoder <NUM> may generate digital data by encoding the audio data rendered by the first renderer <NUM>. The generated digital data may be transmitted to another external device through the first communication interface <NUM>. For example, the generated digital data may be transmitted to the external audio device through the first communication interface <NUM>. In this case, the external audio device <NUM> may generate an output signal based on the digital data transmitted through the first communication interface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an external audio device according to an embodiment.

The external audio device <NUM> may include a second communication interface <NUM>, a second audio processor <NUM>, a second memory <NUM>, a second processor <NUM>, and a second speaker <NUM>. In addition, the second audio processor <NUM> may include a second decoder <NUM>, a second renderer <NUM> and a first encoder <NUM>. Each component of the external audio device <NUM> is similar to the components of the electronic apparatus <NUM> described above and thus, overlapping description will be omitted.

The external audio device <NUM> may obtain an audio source through the second communication interface <NUM> and generate an output signal. In this case, the audio source obtained by the external audio device <NUM> may be audio data transmitted from the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an audio system <NUM> according to an embodiment. The audio system <NUM> may consist of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may include independent processors <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. Accordingly, the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may perform bidirectional communication, and process a signal having a higher computational amount in comparison with a single processor.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may be synchronized with the external audio device <NUM>. The electronic apparatus may exchange device information with the external audio device <NUM> through the first communication interface <NUM>. In addition, the external audio device <NUM> may exchange device information <NUM> with the electronic apparatus <NUM> through the second communication interface <NUM>. Based on the exchanged device information, the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may synchronously output an audio signal.

Here, the device information <NUM> may include information regarding the model names of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM>, speaker configuration, speaker output, the number of speaker channels, an audio processing method, and an audio signal processing time. For example, the device information <NUM> may include information regarding the audio signal processing time of each of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> according to an input format. In this case, the device information <NUM> may include information regarding the decoding time and rendering time of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM>, respectively, according to various input formats such as flac, mp3, dolby, dts, etc. For example, the input format of the audio source obtained by the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the signal processing time regarding the audio source of the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be matched with each other and stored in the first memory <NUM>. In addition, the input format of the audio data obtained by the external audio device <NUM> and the data processing time for processing audio data by the external audio device <NUM> may be matched with each other and stored in the second memory <NUM>.

In addition, the device information <NUM> may include information regarding the time required to transmit/receive data according to the type of communication interface of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM>. For example, the communication time according to various communication interfaces such as HDMI, Optical, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. may be matched with the type information and stored in the first memory <NUM> and the second memory <NUM>.

In addition, the device information <NUM> may include information regarding the signal processing time of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> and a delay time or a compensation time according to a communication interface. The above-described device information <NUM> may be stored in the first memory <NUM> and the second memory <NUM>, respectively, in the form of a look-up table.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may control an audio output condition, respectively, based on the device information <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may control the output timing or the output level of the output audio signal based on the device information <NUM>. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may control both the output timing and the output level of the output audio signal based on the device information <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a controlling method of an electronic apparatus according to various embodiments will be described. Because the detailed operation principle of each component of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> has been described above, overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating configuration of an audio system according to an embodiment.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> may obtain an audio source through the first communication interface <NUM>. Here, the audio source may include encoded digital audio data. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may decode an audio source through the first decoder <NUM>. In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may generate a first audio output signal through the first renderer <NUM>. Further, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may output the first audio output signal through the first speaker <NUM>.

In this case, the first processor <NUM> may transmit an audio source to the external audio device <NUM> through the first communication interface <NUM>. The external audio device <NUM> may receive the audio source through the second communication interface <NUM>. The external audio device <NUM> may output the second audio output signal generated through the second audio processor <NUM> to the second speaker <NUM>.

The first processor <NUM> and the second processor <NUM> may control output of the first speaker <NUM> and the second speaker <NUM>, respectively. For example, the first processor <NUM> and the second processor <NUM> may control the output timing and output level of the first speaker <NUM> and the second speaker <NUM>, respectively.

Specifically, the first processor <NUM> may obtain a first processing time including a decoding time of the first decoder <NUM> and a first rendering time of the first renderer <NUM>. In addition, the second processor <NUM> may obtain a second processing time including a second decoding time of the second decoder <NUM> and a second rendering time of the second renderer <NUM>. In addition, the first processor <NUM> and the second processor <NUM> may obtain the first processing time and the second processing time by transmitting/receiving the obtained first processing time and second processing time through the first communication interface <NUM> and the second communication interface <NUM>.

Based on the obtained first processing time and second processing time, the first processor <NUM> may control the output timing of the first speaker <NUM>. For example, if the first processing time is less than the second processing time by more than a predetermined value, the first processor <NUM> may control the output timing of the first speaker <NUM> based on the delay time which is calculated based on the first processing time and the second processing time. The processor <NUM> may control the output timing of the first speaker <NUM> in consideration of not only the time consumed for audio processing such as decoding and rendering but also the time consumed for moving a signal in the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM>.

In addition, the first processor <NUM> may control the output level of the first speaker <NUM> based on first output level information of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and second output level information of the external audio device <NUM>. For example, if the first output level information is less than the second output level information by more than a predetermined value, the first processor <NUM> may increase the output level of the first speaker <NUM> based on the output compensation value that is calculated based on the first output level and the second output level, or control the first communication interface <NUM> to transmit a signal for decreasing the second output level to the external audio device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates that the electronic apparatus <NUM> obtains an audio source and transmits the audio source to the external audio device, but this is only an example. The external audio device <NUM> may obtain an audio source and transmit the audio source to the electronic apparatus <NUM>.

In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> does not necessarily have to transmit the audio source to the external audio device <NUM> in a state as it is obtained. In other words, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may transmit the audio data decoded through the first decoder <NUM> to the external audio device <NUM>. In this case, the external audio device <NUM> may generate an output audio signal based on the decoded audio data through the second renderer <NUM>. In this case, the decoded audio data may be transmitted to the second renderer <NUM> by bypassing the second decoder <NUM>.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may have a master-slave relationship. Here, the master device may indicate a device that generates an output audio signal of each device from an audio source. For example, the master device may generate a final output audio signal for each device based on an audio source. In addition, the slave device may indicate a device that receives an output audio signal generated by the master device and outputs the output audio signal.

For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may operate as a master device, and the external audio device <NUM> may operate as a slave device. In this case, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may generate a first output audio signal output through the first speaker <NUM> and a second output audio signal output through the second speaker <NUM>. In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may transmit the generated second output audio signal to the external audio device <NUM>. In this case, the second output audio signal transmitted to the external audio device <NUM> may be output through the second speaker <NUM> by bypassing the audio processor <NUM>. Accordingly, the signal processing time in the second audio signal processor <NUM> may be reduced. In particular, when the signal processing performance of the electronic apparatus <NUM> is higher than the signal processing performance of the external audio device <NUM>, the signal processing time in the external audio device <NUM> may be reduced and thus, the signal processing time in the entire audio system can be reduced.

In addition, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may operate as a slave device, and the external audio device <NUM> may operate as a master device. For example, if the external audio device <NUM> is directly connected to an external source device (e.g., a set-top box) that provides an audio source, the external audio device <NUM> may generate the first output audio signal output through the first speaker <NUM> and the second output audio signal output through the second speaker <NUM>. In addition, the external audio device <NUM> may transmit the generated first output audio signal to the electronic apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the first output audio signal transmitted to the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be output through the first speaker <NUM> by bypassing the first audio processor <NUM>.

The master device may be a device that obtains an audio source directly, but this is only an example. The master device may receive the audio source obtained by the slave device. In this case, the master device may generate an output audio signal based on the obtained audio source and transmit the output audio signal to the slave device. For example, if the electronic apparatus <NUM> operates as a slave device, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may obtain an audio source and transmit the audio source to the external audio device <NUM> which is a master device. In this case, the external audio device <NUM> may generate the first output signal based on the transmitted audio source and transmit the first output signal to the electronic apparatus <NUM>. The electronic apparatus <NUM> may output the first output signal through the first speaker <NUM>. In particular, if the second decoder <NUM> of the external audio device <NUM> which is the master device may process various formats more than the first decoder <NUM> of the electronic apparatus <NUM> or has a better computational power, as the electronic apparatus <NUM> receives and outputs the first output signal generated by the external audio device <NUM>, the signal processing time can be reduced.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> and the external audio device <NUM> may output an audio signal regarding the same content, but may output an audio signal with different audio data. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may output a top signal, and the external audio device <NUM> may output a front signal.

<FIG> is a circuit diagram of a first renderer of an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the first renderer <NUM> may include an upmixer <NUM>, an audio scene analysis unit <NUM> and a virtualizer <NUM>.

The upmixer <NUM> may generate three signals, a center signal, a left signal and a right signal, respectively (C', L', R'), based on stereo signals (L, R). In addition, the audio scene analysis unit <NUM> may analyze a content of input audio data. For example, the audio scene analysis unit <NUM> may analyze a ratio of ambience/center signals, a low power factor, a ratio of harmonic signals, etc. included in the audio data. The virtualizer <NUM> may adjust the sense of expansion of an audio signal. The first renderer <NUM> according to an embodiment may mute the center signal (C').

<FIG> is a circuit diagram of a second renderer of an external audio device according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the second renderer <NUM> may include an upmixer <NUM> and virtualizer <NUM>. The upmixer <NUM> may generate a signal of including multiple channels based on an input stereo signal. In addition, at least some of the multiple channel signals may be provided to the virtualizer <NUM> in order to adjust the sense of listening of a sound field.

The first speaker <NUM> of the electronic apparatus <NUM> and the second speaker <NUM> of the external audio device <NUM> may be disposed at various locations.

<FIG> is a view illustrating arrangement of the first speaker <NUM> and the second speaker <NUM> according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the first speaker <NUM> may include a first speaker module <NUM> and a second speaker module <NUM>. The first speaker module <NUM> and the second speaker module <NUM> may be disposed at an upper side of the electronic apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the first speaker module <NUM> and the second speaker module <NUM> may output an audio signal towards the upper side. In addition, each of the first speaker module <NUM> and the second speaker module <NUM> may include a speaker and a tweeter of a middle and high-pitched band.

The second speaker <NUM> may include a third speaker module <NUM>, a fourth speaker module <NUM>, a fifth speaker module <NUM>, a sixth speaker module <NUM>, and a seventh speaker module <NUM>. In this case, the third speaker module <NUM> may be positioned at the center of the external audio device <NUM>, and output an audio signal towards the front side. The fourth speaker module <NUM> and the sixth speaker module <NUM> may be positioned at opposite sides along the longitudinal direction of the external audio device <NUM>, and output audio signals towards the sides of the external audio device <NUM>. The fifth speaker module <NUM> and the seventh speaker module <NUM> may be disposed to output an audio signal towards the upper side. In addition, each of the third speaker module <NUM>, the fourth speaker module <NUM>, the fifth speaker module <NUM>, the sixth speaker module <NUM>, and the seventh speaker module <NUM> may include a speaker, a tweeter and a woofer speaker of a middle and high-pitched band. However, this is only an example, and the number of speakers included in the second speaker <NUM> may vary.

<FIG> illustrates an example arrangement of the speakers included in the first speaker <NUM> and the second speaker <NUM>. However, embodiments are not limited to the arrangement or the directions shown in <FIG>.

The frequency component of the first audio signal output from the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be different from the frequency component of the second audio signal output from the external audio device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating frequency characteristics of an audio signal according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the first audio signal <NUM> may be an audio signal in a high-pitched band, and the second audio signal <NUM> may be an audio signal in a middle or low-pitched band. In this regard, if it is difficult for the electronic apparatus <NUM> to output an audio signal of a middle or low-pitched band, the external audio device <NUM> may output an audio signal of a middle or low-pitched band. Accordingly, a user may listen to an audio signal of a middle or low-pitched band as well as an audio signal of a high-pitched band, experiencing a broader sound stage.

The diverse embodiments described above may be implemented in a computer or an apparatus similar to the computer using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. In some cases, embodiments described in the disclosure may be implemented by a processor itself. According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures and functions described in the specification may be implemented by separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described in the disclosure.

Computer instructions for performing processing operations according to the diverse embodiments of the disclosure described above may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer instructions stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium cause a specific device to perform the processing operations of the display apparatus according to the diverse embodiments described above when they are executed by a processor of the specific device.

Claim 1:
An electronic apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a communication interface (<NUM>);
a display (<NUM>);
an internal speaker (<NUM>); and
a processor (<NUM>),
characterized in that the processor (<NUM>) is further configured to:
obtain a first processing time regarding a first audio signal (<NUM>) output by the internal speaker (<NUM>) and a second processing time regarding a second audio signal (<NUM>) output by an external audio device (<NUM>);
obtain a difference value between the first processing time and the second processing time;
based on the difference value being greater than a predetermined value, obtain a delay time based on the first processing time and the second processing time; and
control output of the internal speaker (<NUM>) or control the communication interface (<NUM>) to transmit a control signal to the external audio device (<NUM>) so that the first audio signal (<NUM>) or the second audio signal (<NUM>) is offset based on the delay time such that the first audio signal (<NUM>) and the second audio signal (<NUM>) are output within a predetermined time, the predetermined time being <NUM> milliseconds or less,
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is further configured to obtain the first processing time based on an input format of a first audio data corresponding to the first audio signal (<NUM>) obtained from the external audio device (<NUM>) through the communication interface (<NUM>),
wherein the processor (<NUM>) is further configured to obtain model information of the external audio device (<NUM>) from the external audio device (<NUM>) through the communication interface (<NUM>), and obtain the second processing time based on the model information.