Audio system and audio apparatus and channel mapping method thereof

A method of mapping a channel of an audio apparatus, the method comprising:

• sequentially providing a test tone to a plurality of sound output apparatuses configured to be randomly connected to an output unit configured to output multichannel audio signals;
• receiving a plurality of test tone signals from the plurality of sound output apparatuses in response to the provided test tone;
• analyzing the plurality of test tone signals and determining locations of the plurality of sound output apparatuses;
• and
• automatically mapping output channels of the output unit according to a result of the determining so that the multichannel audio signals are respectively output to the plurality of sound output apparatuses.

An audio system comprising:

• a first sound output apparatus configured to output multichannel audio signals, wherein the first sound output apparatus comprises a plurality of microphones configured to respectively receive a plurality of test tone signals;
• a plurality of second sound output apparatuses configured to output the plurality of test tone signals, and output the multichannel audio signals;
• and
• an audio apparatus configured to automatically map output channels so that the multichannel audio signals are respectively provided to the first sound output apparatus and the plurality of second sound output apparatuses,
• wherein the audio apparatus is further configured to generate a test tone, sequentially provide the generated test tone to the first sound output apparatus and the second sound output apparatuses connected to the audio apparatus, analyze the plurality of test tone signals from the first sound output apparatus received in response to the test tone, and perform the mapping according to the analyzed result.

An automatic switching audio system comprising:

• an audio apparatus comprising a plurality of switches and output terminals that are fully connected as a mesh topology network,
• wherein the audio apparatus is configured to:
• generate and transmit a test tone,
• receive a first response signal, a second response signal, and a timing information,
• determine a spatial location of a first speaker and a second speaker relative to a center speaker based on the timing information, and
• configure the mesh topology network based on the spatial location and transmit multichannel audio signals over the mesh topology network.