Paging System

• US 20100008512A1
• Filed: 12/12/2005
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Biamp Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Biamp Systems Pty Ltd. (Biamp Systems, LLC)
• Inventors: Dodds, Christopher John, Goldburg, Bruce Maxwell, Packer, Neil Thomas, Gough, Lynton Earl, Thompson, Glenn David, Backstrom, Donald
• Granted Patent: US 8,599,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/003 Digital PA systems using, e.g. LAN or internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2430/01 Aspects of volume control, not necessarily automatic, in sound systems
• 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 29/007 for public address systems public address systems per se H04R27/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 29/008 Visual indication of individual signal levels visual indication of stereophonic sound image H04S7/40

Abstract

The present invention relates to a distributed paging system. The distributed paging system includes a combined data and digital audio network and a plurality of paging system consoles. Each paging system console includes an operator interface to select one or more paging destinations and is arranged to transmit data packets including paging destination data across the network. A number of addressable amplifier modules are provided in communication with the network and are responsive to the data packets. Each of the amplifier modules has an associated address and is arranged to operate according to whether paging destination data contained within the data packets relates to the associated address.

Claims

1. A distributed paging system including:

a combined data and digital audio network;

a plurality of paging system consoles, each including an operator interface to select one or more paging destinations and arranged to transmit data packets including paging destination data across said network; and

a number of addressable amplifier modules in communication with said network and responsive to the data packets;

wherein each of said amplifier modules has an associated address and is arranged to operate according to whether paging destination data contained within the data packets relates to said associated address.

2. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each paging system console further includes a microphone for receiving audio, and an A/D converter for converting the received audio to digital data for inclusion with the data packets.

3. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each paging system console further includes a push to talk (PTT) actuator for enabling transmission of the data packets.

4. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each paging system console further includes a microphone monitor for monitoring whether the microphone is functioning correctly.

5. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the microphone functions correctly when the received audio signal level input to the microphone exceeds a predetermined threshold.

6. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 4, wherein each paging system console includes a means for controlling the gain of the microphone based upon the input audio signal.

7. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each paging system console includes a keypad for entering user data and a display for displaying the user data.

8. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each paging system console is of a generally tapered shape so as to define a face including the keypad and the display.

9. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each paging system console includes address setting means for setting a unique network address of the console.

10. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the address setting means includes one or more rotating knobs.

11. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network is an Ethernet or other like Local Area Network (LAN).

12. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each amplifier module includes a display for displaying the operating status of the amplifier module.

13. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each amplifier module includes a microphone input to receive ambient audio.

14. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each amplifier module includes one or more power amplifiers each for interfacing with a respective speaker.

15. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 14, wherein each speaker, or group of speakers, in use outputs audio sent over a respective audio channel.

16. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including one or more message machines for retrieving message data packets from respective storage mediums.

17. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 16, wherein each message machine has a unique identifier by which it can be identified during communications.

18. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 16, wherein each message machine includes a scheduler for sending messages over the network at scheduled times.

19. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said message machines are loaded with a software application to convert text segments into spoken messages.

20. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including an interface for interfacing the network and a plurality of analogue inputs together, the interface being configured to translate audio into data packets.

21. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including a background music input unit for transmitting background music data over the network.

22. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including a control panel for enabling a user to control the paging data.

23. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the control panel includes any one or more of the following group:

a display for displaying background music selections, a rotary encoder for setting audio levels of the paging data, and buttons for adjusting source selection and page inhibit functions of the network.

24. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including one or more local volume controllers for each controlling the volume of a respective speaker interfaced to an addressable amplifier module.

25. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 24, wherein each local volume controller includes a knob for enabling a user to vary the volume and a display for displaying the volume of the speaker.

26. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 1, further including a device for receiving user inputs, and selecting and sending data packets responsive to the received user inputs.

27. A distributed paging system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the user inputs are derived from switches, potentiometers, voltage sources or other like input means.

28. A distributed paging system including:

a plurality of paging console units, each including an operator interface to select one or more destination paging zones, a microphone and a network interface circuit for transmitting digital audio signals and command signals across a network; and

a number of addressable amplifiers each including a network interface circuit in communication with the network and arranged to transmit data indicating operational status and local ambient acoustic conditions across the network.

29. A paging system console including:

a digital audio source to generate paging messages;

a processor arranged to generate command signals indicating one or more network destination zones for the paging messages;

a network interface circuit arranged to deliver the paging messages and command signals to the network;

wherein the processor is further arranged to determine availability of destination zones and to store the paging messages locally in the event of a message'"'"'s destination zone being unavailable.

30. A paging system console as claimed in claim 29, further including a microphone for receiving audio for inclusion with the generated paging messages.

31. A paging system console as claimed in claim 29, further including a push to talk (PTT) actuator for enabling transmission of the generated paging messages.

32. A paging system console as claimed in claim 29, further including a keypad for entering user data and a display for displaying the user data.

33. A paging system console as claimed in claim 32, the paging system console being of generally tapered shape so as to define a face including the keypad and the display.

34. A paging system console as claimed in claim 29, further including address setting means for setting a unique network address of the console to be included with the generated paging messages.

35. A paging system console as claimed in claim 29, wherein the network is an Ethernet or other like Local Area Network (LAN).

36. A computer software product containing instructions for execution by an electronic processor including:

instructions to communicate with a number of network audio processing devices;

instructions to generate a graphical user interface to display operational status of said devices; and

instructions to adjust the operation of said devices in response to received operator adjustments.

37. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, wherein the instructions to communicate include instructions to configure paging system consoles interfaced to the network.

38. A computer software product as claimed in claim 37, wherein the instructions to configure include instructions to set input controls of the paging system consoles.

39. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, wherein the instructions to generate include instructions to graphically display a schematic layout of each device interconnected to the network.

40. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, wherein the instructions to adjust the operation include instructions to enable a user to alter the interconnections between devices.

41. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, wherein the instructions to adjust the operation include instructions to adjust any one or more of the following group:

a zone associated with an audio processing device, an identifier of the audio processing device, the type of the audio processing device, network interconnections associated with the audio processing device.

42. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, further including instructions for storing a configuration record including configuration data responding to one or more audio processing devices.

43. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, further including instructions for monitoring the status of the audio processing devices.

44. A computer software product as claimed in claim 43, wherein the instructions for monitoring include instructions to poll each audio processing device.

45. A computer software product as claimed in claim 43, wherein the instructions for monitoring include instructions for displaying a log of activity of each audio processing device.

46. A computer software product as claimed in claim 43, wherein the instructions for monitoring include instructions for requesting the current operating state of each audio processing device.

47. A computer software product as claimed in claim 36, further including instructions for monitoring traffic on the network.

48. An amplification and monitoring control apparatus including:

an addressable network interface circuit for communication with a network;

a D/A converter for producing analogue signals corresponding to digital audio received via the network interface circuit; and

a local microphone port for connection to microphone to pick-up ambient sounds; and

a processor coupled to the addressable network interface circuit and responsive to the local microphone port to derive parameters on the basis of the ambient sounds and to transmit the parameters across the network.

49. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus is configured to generate tones and noises in response to commands received via the network interface circuit.

50. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus further includes a display for displaying the apparatus operating status.

51. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus further includes a microphone for interfacing to the microphone port.

52. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus further includes one or more power amplifiers each for interfacing with a respective speaker.

53. An apparatus as claimed in claim 52 wherein, in use, each speaker outputs audio sent over a respective audio channel.

54. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus further includes an amplifier having variable gain based on the level of ambient sounds picked up by the microphone.

55. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus includes a tone generator for generating tones during testing.

56. An apparatus as claimed in claim 48, wherein the apparatus includes a tone generator for generating white or pink noise.

57. A method for a network device of a paging network to start a paging event in the paging network, the method including the steps of:

receiving a start of paging message; and

determining for each zone of each channel of the network device if the message includes a command for the network, device to start paging said zone.

58. A method as claimed in claim 57, wherein the step of determining includes comparing a priority level at which the zone is busy to a priority level indicated in the start of paging message.

59. A method as claimed in claim 58, further including checking if the zone is page inhibited.

60. A method as claimed in claim 57, including adding paging audio into a mix provided by the network device where the current zone is indicated in the start of paging message and the current zone is available at a priority also indicated in said message.

61. A method as claimed in claim 57, including storing paging information for later use where the current zone is indicated in the start of paging message and the current zone is unavailable at a priority also indicated in said message.

62. A method as claimed in claim 60, including the step of ramping down background audio in said mix whilst adding the paging audio.

63. A method as claimed in claim 57, wherein the network device comprises an amplifier control module including circuitry arranged to monitor network data including start of paging messages.

64. A method for a network device of a paging network to end a paging event in the paging network, the method including the steps of:

receiving an end of paging message; and

determining for each zone of each channel of the network device if the message includes a command for the network device to cease paging said zone.

65. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein the step of determining includes comparing a priority level at which the zone is busy to a priority level indicated in the end of paging message.

66. A method as claimed in claim 65, including removing paging for a current page at the current priority if the zone is busy at a higher priority to that indicated in the end of paging message.

67. A method as claimed in claim 65, including switching paging audio of the network device to a higher priority paging channel if the zone is busy at a lower priority to that indicated in the end of paging message.

68. A method as claimed in claim 64, including removing paging audio from a mix provided by the network device where the current zone is indicated in the end of paging message and the current zone is busy at a priority also indicated in said message.

69. A method as claimed in claim 68, including the step of ramping up background audio in said mix whilst removing the paging audio.

70. A method as claimed in claim 64, wherein the network device comprises an amplifier control module including circuitry arranged to monitor network data including end of paging messages.

71. A method for a network device to vary gain of an amplified signal based on ambient levels in an acoustic space measured by a microphone, the method including the steps of:

setting ambient signal to the difference of a program source signal and an ambient sense signal measured by the microphone;

determining if the program signal requires gain change based on the ambient signal; and

if the program signal is determined to require gain change then either increasing the program signal gain in the event that the ambient signal is louder than expected, or in the alternative, decreasing program signal gain.

72. A method as claimed in claim 71, wherein the steps of setting, determining and either increasing, or in the alternative, decreasing are repeated continuously in order that the program signal gain be varied dynamically.

73. A speaker load monitoring apparatus including:

a network interface circuit;

a processor in communication with the network interface circuit;

a connection point for a speaker coupled to the processor; and

a memory device loaded with instructions for execution by the processor.

74. An apparatus as claimed in claim 73, wherein the memory device is loaded with instructions including:

instructions for the processor to check that predetermined signals are present at the connection point within predetermined time frames; and

instructions for the processor to issue alert messages through the network interface circuit to paging network devices in the event said predetermined signals are not present within said time frames.

75. An apparatus as claimed in claim 74, further including:

instructions for the processor to compare a predetermined tone with a prestored ideal tone; and

instructions for the processor to issue messages through the network interface circuit to indicate that the predetermined tone compares anomalously with the pre-stored ideal tone.

76. An apparatus as claimed in claim 74, further including:

instructions for the processor to log said alert messages for later retrieval via the network interface circuit.

77. A message issuing apparatus for connection to a distributed paging system, including:

a network interface circuit;

a processor in communication with the network interface circuit;

a non-volatile memory to store paging messages for playback; and

a memory device loaded with instructions for execution by the processor. including instructions to monitor a network connection for requests to deliver messages from the non-volatile memory to a network of the distributed paging system.

78. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, including:

instructions for the processor to monitor network traffic indicating the engaged status of zones of the distributed paging system.

81. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, including instructions for the processor to implement a message scheduler.

82. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, including instructions to maintain a configuration record of network devices connected to the distributed paging system, said configuration record including a network identity for each of said network devices.

83. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, including instructions to convert messages received over the network in text format into a spoken message format.

84. An apparatus as claimed in claim 77, including instructions for a software application to allow message segments to be joined into a single paging message thereby facilitating the making of automated messages customised to a specific purpose.

79. An apparatus as claimed in claim 79, including:

instructions to delay delivery of messages from the non-volatile memory to zones of the distributed paging system indicated to be engaged.