WO2010090597A1

WO2010090597A1 - System and method for interfacing multimedia signals

Info

Publication number: WO2010090597A1
Application number: PCT/SG2010/000022
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sem Yam Gan; Chye Peng Shu
Original assignee: V.S. Marketing & Engineering Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2009-02-06
Filing date: 2010-01-26
Publication date: 2010-08-12
Also published as: TW201112749A; MY147545A; CN102484745A; SG173570A1

Abstract

A system and method for interfacing multimedia signals. The system comprises, a plurality of signal interfaces for receiving respective input signals from two or more sources; and a signal processor coupled to the plurality of interfaces; wherein the signal processor is adapted to selectively provide two or more of the input signals from different sources for simultaneous output via an external output device.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING MULTIMEDIA SIGNALS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a system and method for interfacing multimedia signals.

BACKGROUND

Recently, there has been rapid adoption of digital home entertainment devices such as high-definition (HD) Liquid Crystal Display Televisions (LCD TVs), gaming consoles, set top boxes (STBs) and other digital audio-video (AV) products. These devices are usually located in a living room and may be integrated, for example, via complex in-room cable connections. At the same time, some users would like to access and enjoy personal entertainment devices such as portable media players, digital cameras, mobile phones and notebook personal computers (PCs) in the living room, for example, through the LCD TV. Connecting the devices and choosing the right settings can be tedious and frustrating.

In the hospitality industry in particular, such interfacing and integrating issues can be very important. On one hand, there are an increasing number of travellers such as professionals and executives who see their high-tech gears, e.g. iPod, laptop computers, as integral to their digital lifestyle, and who may expect higher quality of service, including availability and seamless integration of their own devices with in-room digital equipment. On the other hand, as travellers may come from anywhere in the world and there is almost no way to know the types of devices they may bring, compatibility and integration with a hotel's in-room equipment become even more difficult. Therefore, hotels face a dilemma between offering in-room digital entertainment devices to meet guests' expectation and ensuring that the devices work smoothly, thereby creating a more pleasant experience. A conventional solution comprises providing a connectivity panel which acts as an interface between the personal entertainment devices and the in-room equipment. However, there are still many cables between the conventional connectivity panels and the in-room multimedia equipment. Therefore, the panels can be quite expensive. In addition, various electronic equipment, e.g. LCD TV, may have different communication protocols; hence different firmware, and product firmware upgrade can be complicated. For example, to upgrade the firmware of an LCD TV, a user would need to first unplug the Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) cable from the TV and connect it to a computer, then run the software to upgrade the firmware and connect back the UART cable after completion of the firmware upgrade. Furthermore, certain sophisticated TV functions and features are dependent on the LCD TV brand and model.

A need therefore exists to provide a system and method for interfacing multimedia signals that seek to address at least one of the above problems.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for interfacing multimedia signals, the system comprising: a plurality of signal interfaces for receiving respective input signals from two or more sources; and a signal processor coupled to the plurality of interfaces; wherein the signal processor is adapted to selectively provide two or more of the input signals from different sources for simultaneous output via an external output device.

The said two or more input signals each may comprise respective video signal components, and the processor may be adapted to selectively provide the two or more video signal components in a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode for output on the external output device.

The said two or more input signals each may comprise respective video signal components, and the processor may be adapted to selectively provide the two or more video signal components in a picture-outside-picture (POP) mode for output on the external output device.

The processor may be adapted to selectively provide an audio component of one input signal and a video component of another input signal simultaneously for output via the external output device.

The interfaces may comprise one or more of a group consisting of a USB interface, a HDMI interface, a Bluetooth interface, a S-video interface, a PC interface, an RS-232 interface and a composite video interface.

The system may further comprise embedded firmware, wherein the firmware may be upgradable through one or more of the interfaces.

The system may further comprise a media player module, wherein the media player module may process input data received through one or more of the interfaces for output via an external output device.

The system may further comprise an output interface for coupling the system to the external device via a HDMI cable.

The system may further comprise an HDMI transmitter coupled to the signal processor for converting output signals from the signal processor for transmission as a HDMI signal via the HDMI cable.

The system may be configured to automatically detect the presence of the input signals from the sources.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of interfacing multimedia signals, the method comprising: receiving respective input signals from two or more sources via a plurality of signal interfaces; and selectively providing two or more of the input signals from different sources using a signal processor, for simultaneous output via an external output device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be better understood and readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the following written description, by way of example only, and in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a schematic layout of a system for interfacing multimedia signals according to an example embodiment.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of components of the system of Figure 1.

Figure 3A is a block diagram of connections to a signal processor of Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 3B is a block diagram of connections to an HDMI Switch of Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 3C is a block diagram of connections to a Microcontroller of Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 3D is a block diagram of connections to a USB Hub of Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 3E is a block diagram of connections to a Bluetooth module of Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 3F is a block diagram of connections to a Media Player module of

Figure 2 according to an example embodiment.

Figure 4A is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing the Bluetooth module and the Media Player module according to an example embodiment. Figure 4B is an arrangement of buttons for implementing Media Player navigation according to an example embodiment -

Figure 5A is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing picture-in- picture / picture-outside-picture (PIP/POP) feature according to an example embodiment.

Figure 5B is a change sequence illustrating relative positions of a main source picture and a sub source picture in PIP/POP mode.

Figure 6 is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing audio source selection according to an example embodiment.

Figure 7A is a portion of Figure 3C showing a block diagram for automatic detection of audio/video inputs according to an example embodiment.

Figure 7B is a detailed circuit arrangement for detection of an audio signal according to an example embodiment.

Figure 7C is a detailed circuit arrangement for detection of a video signal according to an example embodiment.

Figure 7D is a flowchart illustrating a method for automatic detection of an input according to an example embodiment.

Figure 8 is a detailed circuit arrangement of a USB connection for upgrading system firmware according to an example embod4ment.

Figure 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for interfacing multimedia signals according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some portions of the description which follows are explicitly or implicitly presented in terms of algorithms and functional or symbolic representations of operations on data within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and functional or symbolic representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to convey most effectively the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities, such as electrical, magnetic or optical signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, and as apparent from the following, it will be appreciated that throughout the present specification, discussions utilizing terms such as "determining", "calculating", "generating", "outputting", or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical quantities within the computer system into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system or other information storage, transmission or display devices.

In addition, the present specification also implicitly discloses a computer program, in that it would be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the individual steps of the method described herein may be put into effect by computer code. The computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular programming language and implementation thereof. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages and coding thereof may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure contained herein. Moreover, the computer program is not intended to be limited to any particular control flow. There are many other variants of the computer program, which can use different control flows without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

• Furthermore, one or more of the steps of the computer program may be performed in parallel rather than sequentially. Such a computer program may be stored on any computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include storage devices such as magnetic or optical disks, memory chips, or other storage devices suitable for interfacing with a general purpose computer. The computer readable medium may also include a hard-wired medium such as exemplified in the Internet system, or wireless medium such as exemplified in the GSM mobile telephone system. The computer program when loaded and executed on such a general-purpose computer effectively results in an apparatus that implements the steps of the preferred method.

The invention may be implemented as hardware modules. More particular, in the hardware sense, a module is a functional hardware unit designed for use with other components or modules. For example, a module may be implemented using discrete electronic components, or it can form a portion of an entire electronic circuit such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Numerous other possibilities exist. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the system can also be implemented as a combination of hardware and software modules.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a schematic layout of a system 100 for interfacing multimedia signals according to an example embodiment Figure 2 is a block diagram of components of the system 100 of Figure 1. The system 100, herein interchangeably referred to as a connectivity panel 100, comprises a plurality of external connecting interfaces to input devices, including but not limited to an audio/video (AV) port 102, an audio/PC port 104, an HDMI port 106, a Bluetooth interface 108, Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports 112, 116, an iPod port 114, an audio-in port 118.

As will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art, the AV port 102 may comprise a 3 RCA (Radio Corporation of America) socket and an S-Video socket capable of supporting a composite video signal (also known as CVBS for colour, video, blanking and sync) with Left/Right audio, or an S-Video signal with Left/Right audio. The audio/PC port 104 comprises, for example, a 15-way D-Type socket for VGA signal and a 3.5 mini-jack for stereo audio signal. The HDMI port 106 may be a Type-A HDMI socket capable of supporting up to 1080P resolution and HDMI firmware version 1.3 with Consumer Electronic Control (CEC) protocol. An input signal to the HDMl port 106 is directly passed through the system 100 to an output, that is, no further processing is carried out, as explained below. The Bluetooth interface 108 is compatible with Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), allowing audio streaming from an A2DP- enabled device. The USB ports 112, 116 are Type-A USB sockets for data and power such that a USB device, e.g. a flash memory card reader, may be connected for charging and/or data extraction. The iPod port 114 allows an iPod cradle to connect to the connectivity panel 100, and additionally provides power to the iPod for charging. The audio-in port 118 allows, for example, TV sound to be transmitted back to the connectivity panel and then to wireless stereo headphones.

The system 100 may also comprise a built-in Media Player 110 for extracting and playing media files from e.g. USB drives, flash memory cards. A more detailed description of the Media Player 110 is provided below. An output from the connectivity panel 100 is connected to e.g. a high-definition (HD) LCD TV or a set top box (STB) via an output HDMI interface 130. In addition, the system 100 may also communicate with output devices via a plurality of ports including but not limited to a USB port 122, a Recommended Standard 232 (RS-232) port 124, and a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) port 126. Power supply to the system 100 can be provided through a 5-VoIt (V) direct current (DC) input 150.

The internal components of the connectivity panel 100 include a signal processor 210, an HDMI Transmitter 220, an HDMI Switch 230, a Microcontroller Unit (MCU) 240 and a USB Hub 250. With reference to Figures 3A-3F, the various components of the connectivity panel 100 are described in detail.

The signal processor 210 may be in the form of a LCD TV video chipset, for example model no. MST6x18GL, capable of handling various video/graphic inputs 312a- 312d and audio inputs 314a-314e. As discussed above, the video inputs 312a-312d may be in various formats e.g. VGA, S-Video, composite signal, etc. In the description that follows, references to video should be understood to include computer graphics and still images. Furthermore, the video inputs 312a-312d and audio inputs 314a-314e may be from any one of the sources such as AV source, PC, Bluetooth device, or media player. As commonly known in the art, the working of the signal processor is facilitated by memory 316, which may be in various forms such as Random Access Memory (RAM) 316a, flash memory 316b, or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) 316c. The EEPROM 316c may be shared with the Microcontroller Unit 240. The signal processor 210 also communicates with the Microcontroller Unit 240 via e.g. a UART connection 318.

As can be seen from Figures 3A, the signal processor 210 converts a selected video or graphic input 312a-312d into a digital Transistor-Transistor Logic (TTL) video output 313, which is supplied to the HDMI Transmitter 220 (Figure 2). The format of the

TTL video output 313 can be set by a user to e.g. 480P, 720P or 1080P resolution, most preferably at 720P resolution. In addition, the signal processor 210 converts a selected audio input 314a-314e into a digital format, which is also supplied to the HDMI Transmitter 220 as digital audio output 311. The HDMI Transmitter 220 then converts the digital audio output 311 and TTL video output 313 into HDMI signals 322 to be transmitted to the HDMI Switch 330 (Figure 2).

As seen in Figure 3B, at the HDMI Switch 330, the incoming signals are either directly from the HDMI port 106 (Figure 2), or the signal 322 from the HDMI Transmitter

320, as described above. A control signal may be communicated between the HDMI

Switch 330 and the signal processor 210 or the Microcontroller Unit 240 (Figure 2), via e.g. CEC protocol, such that the HDMI Switch 330 is able to determine which HDMI signal to send to output interface 130 (Figure 1), hence to an LCD TV or set top box. In the example embodiment, the HDMI switching may be automatically controlled by the

MCU 240, e.g. the MCU 240 firmware sets the HDMI switch 330 based on the selected input source.

As seen in Figure 3C, the Microcontroller Unit (MCU) 240 is preferably an embedded processor, for example a processor of C8051 architecture. The MCU 240 performs various functions including automatic detection of audio/video inputs (to be discussed in detail below), receiving and processing user commands and controlling user display. In the example embodiment, commands can be entered via buttons 341 and the display is in the form of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 343. However, it should be understood that other forms of user interface such as an LCD panel or a touch screen can also be used. Each input source may be assigned a respective button and LED. As described above, the MCU 240 also communicates with the TV or set top box via any one of the communication interfaces 122, 124 and 126 and with the signal processor 210, e.g. via a UART connection, and shares working memory EEPROM 316c with the signal processor 210. The MCU further controls a switch 242 which determines whether the signal from the USB port 112 is to be directly passed to the USB Hub 250, or to a - different component (e.g. for firmware upgrade, to be discussed below).

As shown in Figure 3D, the USB Hub 250 consolidates data paths from USB ports 112 and 116, iPod port 114 and USB data connection 252 from the Microcontroller Unit 240 and link them to the TV or STB. In addition, the USB Hub 250 allows the TV or STB to address each USB entity individually. In the firmware upgrade mode, the USB Hub 250 uses the same messaging protocol as the RS-232 link to communicate with the TV or STB.

Figures 3E and 3F show block diagrams of connections to the Bluetooth module 108 and the Media Player 110 respectively. The Bluetooth module 108 receives Bluetooth signals from a paired A2DP-enabled Bluetooth device 308 (description of the pairing is provided in detail below) and converts the Bluetooth signals into an audio input 314c (Figure 3A) to the signal processor 210. Similarly, the Media Player 110 reads data from media files stored in input devices 112, 116 and converts the data into audio input 314e and video input' 312c (Figure 3A) to the signal processor 210. The operation of both the Bluetooth module 108 and the Media Player 110 can be controlled by the Microcontroller Unit 240.

Figure 4A is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing the Bluetooth module 108 and the Media Player module 110 according to an example embodiment. As mentioned above, each input source may be assigned a respective button and LED. At state 402, the system 100 (Figure 1) is idle and a\\ LEDs are off. The Media Player 110 is activated to play contents from e.g. a USB port by pressing the Media Player button quickly, e.g. for less than a duration t. In the example embodiment, t is about 3 seconds (s), however, it should be understood that a shorter or longer duration may be selected. Once the system 100 is in Media Player mode 404, an LED, e.g. a red LED, is shown. The Media Player navigation (i.e. browsing) mode 406 is activated by further pressing the Media Player button, e.g. for more than about 3s. In the navigation mode 406, the LED shown earlier may change its lighting pattern, e.g. from continuous lighting to slow flashing To go back to the Media Player mode 404, the same Media Player button may be pressed again for more than 3s.

In addition, while in navigation mode 406, the external buttons corresponding to other input sources can be used for browsing the contents of the connected media source, as shown in Figure 4B. For example, buttons 422 and 424 (which normally correspond to Audio/Video and Audio/PC sources respectively) are used to move up and down a list of media files/folders while button 426 (which normally corresponds to a HDMI source) is for opening a selected file/folder and button 428 (which normally corresponds to a USB source) is for exiting the selected file/folder. It should be understood that other combinations of the buttons may be employed.

In order to receive Bluetooth signal from the Bluetooth device 108, a device pairing mode 408 is first activated out by pressing the Bluetooth button on system 100 for more than about 3s. The corresponding Bluetooth LED indicates the system 100 is in pairing mode, for example, by showing a quick flashing pattern. If no device is detected or connected after an extended period, e.g. about 30s, the system 100 returns to idle mode 402. Otherwise, once a Bluetooth device is successfully paired, the corresponding LED pattern is changed accordingly. In the paired state 410, the user can switch system 100 to Bluetooth streaming mode 412 by pressing the Bluetooth button again for less than 3s. The connectivity panel 100 is then ready to receive Bluetooth signals from the external Bluetooth device 108 for processing and outputting. To stop Bluetooth streaming and go back to idle mode 402, the same Bluetooth button can be pressed for more than about 3s. Alternatively, the system 100 may go back to idle mode 402 if no content is streamed via Bluetooth for at least a timeout period, for example, about 5 minutes.

Furthermore, the system 100 according to the example embodiment is capable of switching between a Bluetooth input 108 and an input from the Media Player 110. For example, while in the Media Player mode 404, if the Media Player button is pressed for less than about 3s and no Bluetooth device is paired, the system 100 goes back to the idle state 402. However, if a Bluetooth device is paired at the time, the system switches to the paired state 410. Similarly, while in the Bluetooth streaming mode 412, if the Bluetooth button is pressed for less than about 3s and no Media Player source, e.g. USB drive, is connected, the system goes back to paired state 410. However, if a Media Player source is connected at the time, the system switches to the Media Player mode 404.

The system 100 also comprises advanced display functions for displaying multiple video/graphic inputs. Figure 5A is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing picture-in-picture / picture-outside-picture (PIP/POP) features according to an example embodiment. Figure 5B is a change sequence illustrating relative positions of a main source picture and a sub source picture in PIP/POP mode. As described above, from an idle state 502, a source may be manually selected from among a plurality of sources connected by pressing a source button for less than a duration t of about 3s. From a single-source mode 504 displaying video from a main source, source switching can be carried out by pressing the button corresponding to a secondary source for a duration of less than about 3s. However, if the button corresponding to the secondary source (i.e. sub source) is pressed for more than about 3s, the PIP/POP multiple-source mode 506 is activated. Accordingly, display pattern of the LED is also changed to indicate that the system is in the multiple-source mode 506.

In the example embodiment, the multiple-source mode 506 may start in a PIP state where the sub source video 514 is displayed in a small window at one corner of the main source" video 512. By pressing the secondary source button quickiy, i.e. for a duration of less than 3s, the position of the sub source video 514 on the display is sequentially changed from one corner to another and finally to a POP state where the main source video 512 and the secondary source video 514 are side by side. On the other hand, pressing the secondary source button for more than 3s in the multiple- source mode switches the system 100 back to the single-source mode 504. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that different sizes, positions and change sequences for the small window are possible, and that the video in POP state may be horizontally split (i.e. one on top of another).

In addition to displaying multiple video inputs concurrently, the connectivity panel 100 is also capable of selecting and processing audio and video sources separately, for example, displaying a laptop computer screen while outputting audio from a connected iPod. Figure 6 is a state diagram of an algorithm for implementing audio source selection according to an example embodiment. From single-source state 602 where both video and audio signals from a main source are being selected, the HDMI button may be pressed for a duration of more than about 3s to enter audio selection mode 604 where any one of the other available audio inputs may be selected. The display LED indicates audio selection mode 604 accordingly, for example, by displaying a different lighting pattern. In the audio selection mode 604, by quickly pressing the HDMI button (i.e. for less than about 3s), the system 100 is switched to the next audio input. The quick pressing action may be repeated to go through the all the available audio inputs. Additionally, the system 100 goes back to single-source state 602 when the HDMI button is pressed for more than about 3s.

Furthermore, the connectivity panel 100 is capable of automatically detecting a connected audio/video input. Figures 7A-7D shows circuit arrangements and an algorithm for implementing the auto detection feature. Switch arrays 342 and 344, which are preferably 8 to 1 switches, ensure that multiple sources can be connected as inputs. In the example embodiment, one switch array 342 in the form of an integrated chip U23 is used for video detection, while two switch arrays 344 are used for audio detection, i.e. an integrated chip U18 for Left audio detection and an integrated chip U20 for Right audio detection respectively.

As seen from Figure 7B, each of the plurality of audio sources 702 is connected to one of input pins X0-X7 on chips U18 and U20, which may be of a 16-pin architecture. In the example embodiment, only pins X0-X4 are connected, however, it should be understood that other combinations of pins X0-X7 are possible depending on the number of audio sources. The Microcontroller Unit 240 controls the chips U18 and U20, and determines which of the pins X0-X7 is connected to an audio source. Results 704L and 704R of the Left and Right audio detection are first amplified, e.g. by passing through Operational Amplifiers U19A and U19B respectively before being combined as a single audio detection signal 706, which is supplied to the Microcontroller Unit 240. The circuits for audio and video detection also include a number of other components such as resistors and capacitors which should be understood by a person skilled in the art and hence are not described herein. A similar circuit, as shown in Figure 7C, may be used for video detection.

However, in the case of video detection, it may be preferable to amplify some of the signals 712 from video sources first. The amplified signals 714 are then connected to the input pins X0-X7 of integrated chip U23 together with the un-amplified signals 716. Amplifiers U21 and U22 may be of similar type as the amplifier U19 (Figure 7B). in the example embodiment, only pins X0-X4 are connected, however, it should be understood that other combinations of pins X0-X7 are possible depending on the number of video sources. The Microcontroller Unit 240 controls the chip U23, and determines which of the pins X0-X7 is connected to a video source. The output from the integrated chip U23 is supplied to the Microcontroller Unite 240 as video detection signal 718.

At the Microcontroller Unit 240, an algorithm is applied to determine whether a detection signal (audio or video) is an active signal. Figure 7D is a flowchart 700 illustrating a method for automatic detection of an fnput signal according to an example embodiment. At step 720, a number of samples, e.g. 255 samples, from the inputs 706 or 718 are read, and maximum and minimum values of the signal are determined. At step 722, a ratio P between the maximum and minimum values are calculated based on the following equation:

P = (Max-Min)/Min ^* 50

where Max and Min denote the maximum and minimum values respectively.

At step 724a, the ratio P is compared against a threshold value TH such that if the ratio P is greater than the threshold value TH, the input is considered a valid input. It should be noted that the threshold value TH may be optimised for each respective input channel. For each valid input, at step 724b, a counter value for valid inputs is increased by one count. At step 726, the previous steps 720-724b are repeated for a number N of loops or iterations, where N may be predetermined. At step 728, after N iterations are completed, the counter value for vaiid inputs is compared against a number M, where M may be predetermined. If the counter value is greater than M, the detected input is considered as active, and the system may switch to process and output media contents from the input; otherwise the detected input is considered as inactive. In the event that there is more than one active input, the Microcontroller Unit 240 detects the input signals one by one such that if it is found that the signals, e.g. PC and iPod signals, are newly active, the MCU 240 informs the TV or STB accordingly in sequence.

Figure 8 is a detailed circuit arrangement of a USB connection for upgrading system 100 firmware according to an example embodiment. A high speed analog switch U28 is used to select whether to connect the USB port 112 or 116, which is in the form of USB module CN5, to the USB Hub 250, which is in the form of an integrated chip U25, or to the UART integrated circuit (IC) U24. When the USB module CN5 is connected to the USB Hub, normal media file extraction as described above takes place. However, when the USB module CN5 is connected to the UART IC 24, the USB module CN5 receives information from a USB host. Similarly, a high-speed analog switch U29 is used to select whether to connect the UART \C 24 to the USB Hub (i.e. integrated chip U25) or the USB module CN5.

In the example embodiment, two buttons corresponding to VGA (i.e. PC) and HDMI sources may be pressed simultaneously for a duration of more than about 3s to activate a programming mode for the system 100. In the programming mode, the Microcontroller Unit 240 controls switches U28 and U29 to connect the UART IC 24 to the USB module CN5. Subsequently, a PC (not shown) may be connected to the USB module CN5 for communicating with the Microcontroller Unit 240. A firmware upgrading application can be run from the PC to upgrade the MCU 240 firmware. In addition, the current settings of the connectivity panel 100 can be copied to the PC for applying as a clone to another panel. A system restart may be necessary once the upgrading process is completed.

Figure 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for interfacing multimedia signals according to an example embodiment. At step 902, respective input signals from two or more sources are received via a plurality of signal interfaces. At step

904, two or more of the input signals from different sources are selectively provided using a signal processor, for simultaneous output via an external output device. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A system for interfacing multimedia signals, the system comprising: a plurality of signal interfaces for receiving respective input signals from two or more sources; and a signal processor coupled to the plurality of interfaces; wherein the signal processor is adapted to selectively provide two or more of the input signals from different sources for simultaneous output via an externa) output device.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said two or more input signals each comprise respective video signal components, and the processor is adapted to selectively provide the two or more video signal components in a picture- in-picture (PIP) mode for output on the external output device.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said two or more input signals each comprise respective video signal components, and the processor is adapted to selectively provide the two or more video signal components in a picture- outside-picture (POP) mode for output on the external output device.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is adapted to selectively provide an audio component of one input signal and a video component of another input signal simultaneously for output via the external output device.

5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interfaces comprise one or more of a group consisting of a USB interface, a HDMI interface, a Bluetooth interface, a S-video interface, a PC interface, an RS- 232 interface and a composite video interface.

6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising embedded firmware, wherein the firmware is upgradable through one or more of the interfaces.

7. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a media player module, wherein the media player module processes input data received through one or more of the interfaces for output via an external output device.

8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an output interface for coupling the system to the external device via a HDMI cable.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, further comprising an HDMI transmitter coupled to the signal processor for converting output signals from the signal processor for transmission as a HDMI signal via the HDMI cable.

10. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding cfaims, wherein the system is configured to automatically detect the presence of the input signals from the sources.

11. A method of interfacing multimedia signals, the method comprising: receiving respective input signals from two or more sources via a plurality of signal interfaces; and selectively providing two or more of the input signals from different sources using a signal processor, for simultaneous output via an external output device.