Audio distribution system with remote control
First Claim
1. A system for distributing audio signals to a plurality of speakers, comprising:
- a source of audio signals;
a host controller connected to said source of audio signals for receiving input therefrom and converting to digital signal output;
a plurality of speakers;
a plurality of pass modules connected to said plurality of speakers for operation and control thereof;
a wiring network interconnecting said controller and said plurality of pass modules for transmission of the digital signal outputs therethrough to said plurality of pass modules to produce desired audio output from said plurality of speakers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for distributing audio in the form of music and paging to a multitude of speakers placed at various locations inside or outside of a building. The system includes a host controller which receives music and paging signals, processes the signals and transmits the signals to pass modules mounted on the speakers. The pass modules process and amplify the signals and transmit them to the speakers which are stereo capable enabling them to simultaneously broadcast the music and paging signals if and when desired. A hand held remote control allows a user to transmit an infrared signal to electronic control modules mounted on the speakers and connected to the pass modules and make operational adjustments of speaker outputs characteristics such as equalization, contour, etc. The system also includes a computer which is connected to the host controller for control of desired signal outputs to the speakers as well as desired signal inputs to the host controller. The computer also receives feedback signals from microphones in the electronic control modules for monitoring of the area at the speakers and for control of operational parameters of the speaker outputs.
95 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for distributing audio signals to a plurality of speakers, comprising:
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a source of audio signals;
a host controller connected to said source of audio signals for receiving input therefrom and converting to digital signal output;
a plurality of speakers;
a plurality of pass modules connected to said plurality of speakers for operation and control thereof;
a wiring network interconnecting said controller and said plurality of pass modules for transmission of the digital signal outputs therethrough to said plurality of pass modules to produce desired audio output from said plurality of speakers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for distributing audio signals to a plurality of speakers and providing remote control thereof, comprising:
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a source of audio signals;
a host controller connected to said source of audio signals for receiving audio signal input therefrom and converting to digital signal output;
a plurality of speakers;
a plurality of pass modules connected to said plurality of speakers for operation and control thereof;
a wiring network interconnecting said host controller and said plurality of pass modules for transmission of the digital signal outputs therethrough to said plurality of pass modules to produce desired audio output from said plurality of speakers;
a remote control transmitter for emitting a wireless remote control signal;
a plurality of external control modules mounted on said plurality of speakers, said plurality of external control modules including a plurality of sensors for receiving and converting the remote control signal to an electrical signal, said plurality of external control modules connected to said plurality of pass modules for controlling desired functions of said plurality of speakers in response to the remote control signal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A system for distributing audio signals to a plurality of speakers with remote control thereof, comprising:
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a computer, said computer including a modem;
a source of music signals;
a source of paging signals;
a priority override control connected to said source of paging signals;
a source of external trigger signals;
a main controller connected to said computer for receiving command input therefrom and connected to said source of music signals and said source of paging signals for receiving audio signal input therefrom and to said source of external trigger signals for receiving signal input therefrom and converting to digital signal output, said main controller including power circuitry for detection of defective individual one of said plurality pass modules and removal of signal transmission thereto, said host contoller having a programmable clock for initiation of a desired digital signal output at a desired time;
a plurality of speakers each of which has two voice coils for receiving two channels of input, one of the channels for input from said source of music signals and the other of the channels for input from said source of paging signals;
a plurality of pass modules connected to said controller for receiving output signals therefrom, each of said plurality of pass modules connected to individual ones of said plurality of speakers for operation and control thereof, said plurality of pass modules feeding the two channels of input to said plurality of speakers for independent control of the music signals and the paging signals transmitted thereto, said plurality of pass modules including a plurality of audio amplifier chips for driving said plurality of speakers, said plurality of pass modules including a plurality of pass module microprocessors for processing the output signals from said controller, said plurality of pass modules including a plurality of test signal generators, said plurality of pass modules including on-board logic circuits for periscoping, muting, ducking and priority override, said each of said plurality of pass modules having an ID address which is distinct from those of others of said plurality of pass modules so that solely desired pass modules are responsive to desired outputs from said host controller and so that said power circuitry of said host controller can remove defective ones of said plurality of pass modules, said plurality of pass modules connectable to a power source Which is autonomous with respect to said main controller;
a bus interconnecting said host controller and said plurality of pass modules in series;
a manually actuated remote control transmitter for emitting an infrared control signal, said remote transmitter including a focus chamber for focusing the infrared signal into a beam which is divergent in the range of fifteen to twenty degrees, said control signal being pulsed at high current;
a plurality of external control modules mounted on said plurality of speakers, each of said external control modules including a sensor for receiving the remote control signal, said plurality of external control modules connected to said plurality of pass modules for controlling equalization and other desired functions of said plurality of speakers in response to the infrared control signal, said plurality of external control modules including a plurality of decoders for decoding the infrared control signal and a plurality of control module microprocessors for processing the infrared control signal, said plurality of external control modules including a plurality of microphones mounted on said plurality of external control modules and connected thereto for transmission of microphone input thereto for control of said plurality of speakers and for monitoring of surrounding environment of said plurality of speakers and providing data therefrom to said host controller;
a plurality of control module strain relief connectors for mounting said plurality of external control modules onto said plurality of speakers;
a plurality of zip-tie strap strain relief connectors for interconnection of said local area network and said plurality of pass modules;
a plurality of heat transfer structures and a plurality of attachment posts, said plurality of attachment posts mounted on said plurality of pass modules for connecting said plurality of pass modules to said plurality of speakers, said plurality of attachment posts having a plurality of openings for engaging said plurality of heat transfer structures for dissipation of heat therethrough and through said plurality of speakers, said plurality of attachment posts being hollow to allow a plurality of securement structures to pass therethrough for securement of said plurality of pass modules to said plurality of speakers, said plurality of attachment posts including a plurality of insulator inserts for surrounding said plurality of securement structures to prevent electrical shorting of said plurality of pass modules via said plurality of securement structures;
a plurality of sets of indicator leds mounted in said plurality of electronic control modules, each of said indicator leds being multicolored for displaying multiple functions, each of said sets of indicator leds configured into a circular pattern for db meter display.
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Specification