Audio distribution system with local integrally wall mounted control point nodes

• US 20060204018A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearone Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NetStreams LLC (Clearone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Braithwaite, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/61 for local area broadcast, e.g. instore broadcast
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/04 Studio equipment; Interconnection of studios
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00

Abstract

An integrally mounted control point node for use in an audio distribution system and including a control processor for receiving command signals and providing audio control signals to response thereto; a command signal generator for producing the command signals in response to activation by a user of the system; a terminal for receiving a plurality of audio signals; an audio signal tuner for receiving the control signals and the audio signals; an amplifier receiving an output signal from the tuner and the control signals from the control processor; and a speaker terminal for transmitting the output signal to a speaker.

Claims

1. An integrally mounted control point node for use in an audio distribution system and comprising:

control processor means for receiving command signals and providing audio control signals in response thereto;

command signal generator means for producing said command signals in response to activation by a user of the system;

an antenna terminal for receiving a source of terrestrial audio signals;

an audio signal tuner for receiving said audio control signals and said terrestrial audio signals, said tuner responding to said control signals by selecting one of said terrestrial audio signals as an output signal;

an amplifier receiving said output signal from said tuner and said control signals from said control processor means; and

amplifying said output signal in response to said control signal; and

a speaker terminal for transmitting said output signal to the speaker.

2. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 1 wherein said control processor means includes audio terminal means for receiving a plurality of other audio signals;

and a signal processing unit receiving said other audio signals, said signal output, and said audio control signals;

said processing unit responding to said control signals by selecting and routing one of said signals to said amplifier.

3. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 2 wherein said other audio signals include available network audio signals, and said control processor means includes a network I/O for formatting said network audio signals in response to said control signals.

4. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 2 wherein said other signals include local signals received from a local audio I/O, and said control processor means includes a local signal I/O for formatting said local signals in response to said control signals.

5. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 4 wherein said other audio signals further include available network audio signals, and said control processor means includes a network I/O for formatting said network audio signals in response to said control signals.

6. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 1 wherein said generator comprises a terminal for receiving said command signals from an external hand held device.

7. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 1 wherein said generator comprises a control surface adapted for manual activation by a user to produce said command signals.

8. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 7 wherein said generator further comprises a display means for illustrating selected command signals at said control surface.

9. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 1 wherein said generator comprises a command speaker adapted for audio activation by a user to produce said command signals.

10. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 9 wherein said generator further comprises a display means for illustrating selected command signals produced by said command speaker.

11. An integrally mounted control point node according to claim 1 wherein said control processor means includes a power terminal for receiving power from an external power source, and an energy storage module for supplementing said external power source.