Method and apparatus for remote control of an audio source such as a wireless microphone system

• US 20040106398A1
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Audio Technica U.S. Inc (Audio-Technica Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Audio Technica U.S. Inc (Audio-Technica Corporation)
• Inventors: Statham, Kelly, Kamimura, Fumio
• Granted Patent: US 7,693,289 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/083 Special constructions of mouthpieces
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/004 for microphones H04R29/007 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for remotely controlling a set of functions for a wireless audio system from a remote control. The method includes the steps of generating a digitally modulated pilot tone, and transmitting this pilot tone within a radio communication to a wireless receiver. The digitally modulated pilot tone carries data about a plurality of functions related to an audio source and its associated transmitter. The method further includes a step of receiving the data at a wireless receiver, augmenting it by information related to the wireless receiver, and communicating the resulting data via a communication network to a remote central control. The method further includes monitoring the resulting data at the remote central control, diagnosing detected problems associated with the wireless audio system, and communicating to the wireless audio system appropriate remedial action to alleviate the detected problems.

Claims

1. A method for remotely controlling a set of functions related to a wireless audio system from a remote central control, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an audio system that includes a transmitter and a receiver;

transmitting data from the transmitter to the receiver of said audio system and storing said data therein, said data including two or more characteristics regarding said transmitter or the environment in which it is used;

establishing a link between the receiver of said wireless audio system and a central control;

determining whether or not any problems exist by monitoring said data stored in said receiver from said central control;

communicating from said remote control to said audio system appropriate remedial actions to alleviate any of said problems.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said audio system comprises a wireless audio system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said wireless audio system comprises a wireless microphone system.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said transmitter comprises a handheld device.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said transmitter comprises a body pack.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises a diversity receiver.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said data comprises data regarding characteristics of said transmitter or said receiver that can be monitored but not controlled.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said data is selected from a group consisting of:

receiver internet protocol address, receiver link address, receiver RF level, receiver AF level.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said data comprises data regarding characteristics of said transmitter or said receiver that can be monitored and controlled.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said data is selected from a group consisting of:

receiver name, receiver frequency, receiver squelch level, receiver meter hold, receiver antenna power, receiver mute, default display on receiver state, receiver lock condition, receiver load present, and receiver save preset.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said communicating step includes the step of transmitting replacement data to said receiver that is implemented by said receiver.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said data is selected from a group consisting of:

receiver name, receiver frequency, receiver squelch level, receiver meter hold, receiver antenna power, receiver mute, default display on receiver state, receiver lock condition, receiver load present, and receiver save preset.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiver of said audio system comprises a master receiver and two or more slave receivers that are operatively coupled to said master receiver, each of said slave receivers including a slave transmitter associated therewith.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said transmitting step comprises the step of transmitting data from the slave transmitter associated with one of said slave receivers to said master receiver, and transmitting said data from said master receiver to said central control.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting step comprises the steps of combining data associated with said transmitter with a pilot tone signal, mixing said combined data/pilot tone signal with an audio signal, and transmitting said combined data/pilot tone/audio signal to said receiver.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said pilot tone signal is at approximately 32 kHz.