Audio network distribution system

• US 20050131558A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearone Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NetStreams LLC (Clearone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cardenas, Herman, Braithwaite, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,643,894 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234327 by decomposing into layers, e.g. base layer and one or more enhancement layers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2662 Controlling the complexity of the video stream, e.g. by scaling the resolution or bitrate of the video stream based on the client capabilities
• 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 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 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals

Abstract

An audio distribution network system (20) allowing an audio distribution system to be created that is integrated with the home automation system into a home network that permits vocal feedback, status and even control with the audio through network speakers (100).

Claims

1. A networked audio system comprising:

a plurality of speaker nodes;

a plurality of self-sufficient audio source node devices connected to said speaker nodes via an internet protocol network;

service interface means connected to said speaker nodes via said network;

one or more legacy sources connected to said speaker nodes via said network; and

control and converter means connected between said one or more legacy sources and said speaker nodes.

2. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein said control and converter means comprises control and encoding nodes.

3. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein each said speaker node renders audio media content and distributes, controls, and serves media content connected to said speaker nodes via said network.

4. A networked audio system according to claim 1, wherein each said speaker node comprises a microphone and signal processor means.

5. A networked audio system according to claim 4 wherein said processor means comprises a digital signal processor.

6. The audio system according to claim 5 wherein said digital signal processor comprises a real time adaptive analyzer.

7. A networked audio system according to claim 4 wherein said processor means comprises a speaker controller for providing intelligence to operate application protocol.

8. A networked audio system according to claim 7 wherein said processor means further comprises a format converter for converting a digital audio format input into an analog output.

9. A networked audio system according to claim 8 wherein said processor means further includes an amplifier and a pre-amplifier with an active crossover for limiting frequency output to said amplifier.

10. A networked audio system according to claim 8 wherein said speaker controller and format converter can be updated over said network with increased processing power and/or memory to accommodate future digital formats.

11. A networked audio system according to claim 5 wherein said processor means of each speaker comprises speaker sensor means providing information feedback to other said speakers.

12. A networked audio system according to claim 8 wherein said speaker controller is an embedded controller with flash memory programmed to function as a web server and together with said format converter are enabled to allow their application programming to be updated over said network and to thereby accommodate future digital formats.

13. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein said network comprises a wired section and one or more wireless segments, and one or more of said speaker nodes comprises interface means providing a communication bridge between said wire section and said one or more wireless segments.

14. A networked audio system according to claim 13 wherein said interface means comprises an RF receiver/transmitter capable of both receiving and sending RF network communication.

15. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein said speaker nodes are adapted to participate in multi speaker sessions to establish a master speaker node and slave speaker nodes which would receive clocking control information from said master speaker node.

16. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein said control and converter means is adapted to convert analog signals from said legacy sources into a desired digital format for distribution to all of said speaker nodes.

17. A networked audio system according to claim 1 wherein said control and converter means is adapted to convert digital signals from said legacy sources into a desired re-formatted digital format for distribution to all of said speaker nodes.

18. A networked audio system according to claim 17 wherein said control and converter means is further adapted to convert analog signals from said legacy source into said desired digital format for distribution to all of said speaker nodes.

19. A networked audio system according to claim 18 wherein control and converter means comprises multiple encoders to provide simultaneous conversion of signals from said legacy sources into said desired digital format.