Wired, wireless, infrared, and powerline audio entertainment systems

• US 20030210796A1
• Filed: 01/27/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: KSC Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Rodriguez, Yadir, McCarty, William A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,103,009 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/81
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/545 Audio/video application, e.g. interphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/54 Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/022 Plurality of transducers corresponding to a plurality of sound channels in each earpiece of headphones or in a single enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/024 Positioning of loudspeaker enclosures for spatial sound reproduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2499/15 Transducers incorporated in visual displaying devices, e.g. televisions, computer displays, laptops
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 27/00 Public address systems circuits for preventing acoustic reaction H04R3/02; circuits for distributing signals to loudspeakers H04R3/12; monitoring or testing arrangements for public address systems H04R29/007; amplifiers H03F
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 3/00 Systems employing more than two channels, e.g. quadraphonic H04S5/00, H04S7/00 take precedence

Abstract

A method and system for communicating audio signals between an input device and an output device via a network. The output device can include loudspeakers and headphones. In some embodiments an output device, for example a center channel speaker, transmits audio signals to other output devices. In some embodiments, the output device is coupled to, or combined with, a speaker stand or speaker bracket. The network can be wireless, wired, infrared, RF, and powerline.

Claims

1. A method for providing an audio signal and a control signal that is generated by an input device to a remote loudspeaker via a network, the method comprising:

receiving an audio signal from the input device;

detecting a characteristic associated with the audio signal;

coding the characteristic into a control signal; and

transmitting the audio signal and the control signal to a loudspeaker via the network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

decoding the control signal at the loudspeaker;

manipulating the audio signal based on the decoded control signal; and

providing the manipulated audio signal to the loudspeaker for broadcast.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising digitally amplifying the audio signal.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving an address signal which is associated with the loudspeaker, the audio signal, and the control signal;

coding the address signal;

transmitting the address signal via the network to the loudspeaker and to a next loudspeaker;

decoding the address signal at the loudspeaker;

decoding the address at the next loudspeaker; and

broadcasting the audio signal at the loudspeaker if the address signal is associated with the loudspeaker; and

broadcasting the audio signal at the next loudspeaker if the address signal is associated with the next loudspeaker.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the network is wired.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the network is wireless.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the network is RF.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the network is IR.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising converting the audio signal from an analog form to a digital form prior to transmitting the audio signal.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the detected control signal is analog.

12. The method of claim 2, wherein the audio signal is digital.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the detected control signal is digital.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a volume level.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a balance level.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a fader level.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a destination source.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is an address.

22. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a power on.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a power off.

24. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a time delay.

25. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is a phase delay.

26. The method of claim 2, further comprising automatically powering a transmitter in response to receiving the audio signal from the input device.

27. The method of claim 2, further comprising automatically powering a receiver in response to receiving the audio signal and the control signal via the network.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising automatically powering off the transmitter in response to not receiving the audio signal from the input device for a period of time.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising automatically powering off the receiver in response to not receiving the audio signal and the control signal via the network.

30. The method of claim 2, wherein the control signal is in an I²C format.

31. The method of claim 2, wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (I²S) format.

32. The method of claim 2, wherein the loudspeaker is a headphone.

6. The method of claim 6, wherein the network is a powerline.

33. A communication system configured to provide an audio signal and a control signal to a remote loudspeaker, the system comprising:

a transmitter module configured to receive an audio signal, combine the audio signal with a control signal to form a combined signal, and transmit the combined signal via a network; and

a receiver module configured to receive the combined signal from the network and extract the control signal and the audio signal from the combined signal.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) module configured to manipulate the audio signal based on the extracted control signal.

35. The system of claim 33, further comprising a digital amplifier configured to digitally amplify the audio signal.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the combined signal includes an address signal which is associated with a loudspeaker.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the network is wired.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the network is a powerline.

39. The system of claim 33, wherein the network is wireless.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the network is RF.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the network is IR.

42. The system of claim 33, wherein the transmitter is configured to convert the audio signal from an analog form to a digital form.

43. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is analog.

44. The system of claim 33, wherein the audio signal is digital.

45. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is digital.

46. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a volume level.

47. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a balance level.

48. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a fader level.

49. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.

50. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a destination source.

51. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.

52. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.

53. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is an address.

54. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a power on.

55. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a power off.

56. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a time delay.

57. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is a phase delay.

58. The system of claim 33, wherein the transmitter is configured to power on in response to receiving the audio signal.

59. The system of claim 33, wherein the receiver is configured to power on in response to receiving the combined signal.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein the transmitter is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal for a period of time.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the receiver is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal.

62. The system of claim 33, wherein the control signal is in an I²C format.

63. The system of claim 33, wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (I²S) format.

64. The system of claim 33, wherein the loudspeaker is a headphone.

65. An apparatus configured to transmit an audio signal and a control signal associated with the audio signal via a network, the apparatus comprising:

an audio input module having a first receptacle and a second receptacle, both configured to attach to an input device;

an input selector module configured to select the first receptacle and the second receptacle;

a signal processing module configured to receive the audio signal associated with the selected receptacle and combine the audio signal with a control signal to form a combined signal; and

a network module configured to format and transmit the combined signal via the network.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the combined signal includes an address signal which is associated with a loudspeaker.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the network is wired.

68. The apparatus of claim 67, wherein the network is a powerline.

69. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the network is wireless.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the network is RF.

71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein the network is IR.

72. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the signal processing module is configured to convert the audio signal from an analog form to a digital form.

73. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is analog.

74. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the audio signal is digital.

75. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is digital.

76. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a volume level.

77. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a balance level.

78. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a fader level.

79. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.

80. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a destination source.

81. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.

82. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.

83. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is an address.

84. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a power on.

85. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a power off.

86. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a time delay.

87. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is a phase delay.

88. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the input selector module is configured to power on in response to receiving the audio signal.

89. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the input selector module is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal for a period of time.

90. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the control signal is in an I²C format.

91. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (1²S) format.

92. A loudspeaker configured to receive a combined signal via a network, wherein the combined signal includes an audio signal and a control signal associated with the audio signal, the loudspeaker comprising:

a network module coupled to the network and configured to receive the combined signal and unformat the combined signal;

a signal processing module coupled to the network module and configured to extract the audio signal and the control signal from the combined signal; and

a digital to analog converter configured to convert the extracted audio signal into an analog form for broadcasting by the loudspeaker.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the signal processing module is configured to receive a code defining a phase for manipulating the audio signal to be in phase with another speaker on the network.

94. A center channel speaker configured to provide an audio signal and a control signal to one or more remote speakers, the center channel speaker comprising:

a digital signal processor (DSP) module configured to process a center channel signal and a satellite channel signal;

an amplifier module configured to convert the processed center channel signal to pulse width modulation;

a power stage module configured to digitally amplify the pulse width modulation signal for broadcast by a center channel loudspeaker; and

an IR transmitter configured to transmit the satellite channel signal to a satellite speaker.

95. A speaker housing comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive a combined audio and control signal; and

an output wire coupled to the wireless receiver and configured to connect with a loudspeaker.

96. The housing of claim 95, wherein the wireless receiver comprises:

an amplifier configured to amplify an audio signal portion of the combined audio and control signal based in part upon a control signal portion of the combined audio and control signal; and

a power supply configured to provide power to the amplifier.

97. The housing of claim 96, wherein the housing is a speaker stand.

98. The housing of claim 96, wherein the housing is the loudspeaker.

99. The housing of claim 96, wherein the housing is a bracket coupled to the loudspeaker.

100. The housing of claim 96, wherein the housing is a speaker stand.

101. A wireless stereo speaker comprising:

a wireless receiver configured to receive a wireless audio signal;

a signal processing module configured to extract audio channels from the audio signal;

an amplifier module configured to convert the extracted audio channels to pulse width modulation;

a power stage module configured to digitally amplify the pulse width modulation audio channels;

two or more loudspeaker configured to broadcast the amplified audio channels; and

a power supply configured to provide power to the power stage module.

102. A housing comprising:

a wireless receiver module configured to receive a wireless audio signal;

a amplifier module configured to convert the wireless audio signal to pulse width modulation;

a power stage module configured to digitally amplify the pulse width modulation audio channels; and

a speaker mount member configured for attachment to a speaker.

103. The housing of claim 102, wherein the wireless audio signal is received via an infrared network.

104. The housing of claim 102, wherein the wireless audio signal is received via an RF network.

105. The housing of claim 102, further comprising a digital signal processor (DSP) module configured to process the wireless audio signal.

106. The housing of claim 102, wherein the wireless audio signal is in an I²S format.

107. A speaker enclosure configured to transmit a combined audio and control signal to a satellite speaker, the speaker enclosure comprising:

a digital signal processor (DSP) module configured to process a first channel signal and a second channel signal received from a source;

a loudspeaker configured to broadcast the first channel; and

a transmitter module configured to transmit the second channel signal to a satellite speaker.

108. The speaker enclosure of claim 107, further comprising a amplifier module configured to convert the first channel signal to pulse width modulation;

and

a power stage module configured to digitally amplify the pulse width modulation signal for broadcast by the loudspeaker.

109. The speaker enclosure of claim 107, wherein the second signal is transmitted using IR to the satellite speaker.

110. The speaker enclosure of claim 107, wherein the second signal is transmitted using powerline to the satellite speaker.

111. The speaker enclosure of claim 107, wherein the second signal is transmitted using an RF network to the satellite speaker.

112. The speaker enclosure of claim 107, wherein the second signal is transmitted using a wired network to the satellite speaker.

113. A transmitter module for a home media network comprising:

a housing;

at least one connector for receiving an analog input;

a volume sensor coupled to the connector for receiving an analog input; and

a digital processing circuit configured to process signals received from the connectors and the volume sensor and output a combined control and audio signal.

114. A housing for a wireless receiver, the housing comprising:

an infrared detector on a first surface of the housing and configured to receive a combined audio and control signal;

a receiver coupled to the detector and configured to decode and extract an audio signal from the combined audio and control signal;

an amplifier coupled to the infrared receiver and configured to manipulate and amplify the audio signal and broadcast the amplified audio signal; and

an audio output line coupled to the amplifier and configured to provide the manipulated audio signal to a loudspeaker.

115. The housing of claim 114, further comprising a second infrared detector.

116. The housing of claim 115, wherein the second infrared detector is on a second surface of the housing.