DISTRIBUTED SWITCHING SYSTEM FOR PROGRAMMABLE MULTIMEDIA CONTROLLER

• US 20080228934A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Silva, MIchael C., Eschholz, Siegmar K.
• Granted Patent: US 8,788,076 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/231
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40084 Bus arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/61 for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio

Abstract

A distributed switching system for use with a programmable multimedia controller. In the system, data streams originating from the controller or any of a plurality of devices interconnected with the controller are accessible by the other devices which may switch the streams as needed.

Claims

1. An expandable entertainment system having a distributed switching arrangement for data streams comprising:

at least one programmable multimedia controller having a processing subsystem, an audio switch, one or more audio input modules, one or more audio output modules, and one or more ports which support IEEE 1394 serial communication protocol; and

one or more expansion units each of which interconnected with said controller by a IEEE 1394 communication link and has an audio switch, whereby a digital audio stream originating from said controller or any of said expansion units is accessible to every other expansion unit and controller.