Multi-station audio distribution apparatus
First Claim
1. A dedicated, non-switched, multi-station audio distribution apparatus that allows a plurality of users to simultaneously sample different audio tracks comprising:
- (a) at least two listening stations, said at least two listening stations each consisting essentially of a user input, a visual display to display informational data corresponding to said user input, an audio output such that an analog audio signal corresponding to said user input may be heard, a keypad to enter apparatus adjustments, and a first microcontroller connected to said user input, said visual display, said audio output, and said keypad;
(b) a data control device adapted to retrieve informational data corresponding to each of said user inputs, to retrieve digitized audio material corresponding to each of said user inputs, and to produce responsive outputs consistent with each of said apparatus adjustments;
(c) at least one low voltage listening station interface device, disposed between said data control device and said at least two listening stations, further consisting essentially of a second microcontroller, a digital interface, an analog interface, a digital to analog converter, and a data control device interface, said digital interface, digital to analog converter, and data control device interface being connected to said second microcontroller, and an analog stereo amplifier within said low voltage listening station interface device, connected to said digital to analog converter and to said analog interface;
(d) low-voltage cabling connecting said listening station interface device to each of said at least two listening stations; and
(e) a dedicated, non-switched connection connecting said data control device to said listening station interface device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-station audio distribution apparatus having at least two listening stations, a data control mechanism and a listening station interface mechanism disposed between the listening stations and the data control mechanism. Each of the listening stations has a user input in the form of a bar code scanner to enter an audio material selection and each has an audio output. The data control mechanism retrieves digitized audio material corresponding to each of the user'"'"'s audio material selections. The listening station interface mechanism transfers the user'"'"'s inputs from each of the listening stations to the data control mechanism, receives the digitized audio materials corresponding to each user'"'"'s input from the data control mechanism, converts the digital audio materials to analog audio signals and transfers the analog audio signals to each of the respective listening stations for the audio output.
245 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A dedicated, non-switched, multi-station audio distribution apparatus that allows a plurality of users to simultaneously sample different audio tracks comprising:
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(a) at least two listening stations, said at least two listening stations each consisting essentially of a user input, a visual display to display informational data corresponding to said user input, an audio output such that an analog audio signal corresponding to said user input may be heard, a keypad to enter apparatus adjustments, and a first microcontroller connected to said user input, said visual display, said audio output, and said keypad;
(b) a data control device adapted to retrieve informational data corresponding to each of said user inputs, to retrieve digitized audio material corresponding to each of said user inputs, and to produce responsive outputs consistent with each of said apparatus adjustments;
(c) at least one low voltage listening station interface device, disposed between said data control device and said at least two listening stations, further consisting essentially of a second microcontroller, a digital interface, an analog interface, a digital to analog converter, and a data control device interface, said digital interface, digital to analog converter, and data control device interface being connected to said second microcontroller, and an analog stereo amplifier within said low voltage listening station interface device, connected to said digital to analog converter and to said analog interface;
(d) low-voltage cabling connecting said listening station interface device to each of said at least two listening stations; and
(e) a dedicated, non-switched connection connecting said data control device to said listening station interface device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A dedicated, non-switched, multi-station audio distribution apparatus that allows a plurality of users to simultaneously sample different audio tracks comprising:
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(a) at least two listening stations, said at least two listening stations each consisting essentially of a bar code scanner to produce a bar code reading, a visual display to display informational data corresponding to said bar code reading, an audio output such that an analog audio signal corresponding to said bar code reading may be heard, a keypad to enter apparatus adjustments, and a first microcontroller connected to said bar code scanner, said visual display, said audio output, and said keypad;
(b) the data control device adapted to retrieve informational data corresponding to each of said bar code readings, to retrieve digitized audio material corresponding to each of said bar code readings, and to produce responsive outputs consistent with each of said apparatus adjustments;
(c) at least one low voltage listening station interface device, disposed between said data control device and said at least two listening stations, further consisting essentially of a second microcontroller, a digital interface, an analog interface, a digital to analog converter, and a data control device interface, said digital interface, digital to analog converter, and data control device interface being connected to said second microcontroller, and an analog stereo amplifier within said low voltage listening station interface device, connected to said digital to analog converter and to said analog interface;
(d) a low-voltage analog interface cable connecting said analog interface to said at least two listening stations and adapted to pass an analog stereo signal from said analog interface to said audio output;
(e) a low-voltage digital interface cable connecting said digital interface to said first micro controller; and
(f) a dedicated, non-switched connection connecting said data control device to said listening station interface device. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification