Method and system for allowing multiple nodes in a small environment to play audio signals independent of other nodes

• US 6,826,283 B1
• Filed: 07/27/2000
• Issued: 11/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Black Hills Media, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Wheeler, Thomas M., Price, Tim Urry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramakrishnaiah, Melur
• Application Number:
  US09/626,781
• Time in Patent Office: 1,587 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/56-59, 381/300, 381/81, 381/85, 381/104, 381/107, 379/102.01, 379/102.03, 379/101.01, 340/825.25
• US Class Current: 381/77
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/63 to plural spots in a confined site, e.g. MATV [Master Antenna Television]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/84 combined with power distribution network
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/95 characterised by a specific format, e.g. an encoded audio stream
• 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

Abstract

A method and system capable of playing different audio signals in different nodes of a small environment. The system is comprised of a number of nodes, which may be rooms of a house or hotel, or offices of a business. Each node has at least one audio speaker. The system further comprises an audio signal distribution device, which is connected to the nodes and delivers audio signals to the nodes. The audio signal distribution device further comprises a storage device for storing the audio signals. At least one of the nodes has a control interface for selecting the audio signals to be transferred to the nodes. In this fashion, each node is capable of playing a different audio signal than any other node is playing concurrently.

Claims

1. A system for distributing audio in a small environment comprising:

a) a plurality of nodes;

b) each of said plurality of nodes having at least one audio presentation device;

c) an audio signal distribution device connected to said plurality of nodes, said audio signal distribution device adapted to distribute audio signals to said plurality of nodes;

d) a storage device coupled to said audio signal distribution device, said storage device adapted to store said audio signals; and

e) at least one of said plurality of nodes having a control interface, said interface for selecting audio signals to be transferred from said audio signal distribution device to said plurality of nodes, such that each node of said plurality of nodes is capable of playing a different audio signal than is being played concurrently on any other one of said plurality of nodes, wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes further comprise logic for storing a list of audio signals which can be transferred from said audio signal distribution device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said control interface is a portable computer system.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of nodes further comprise:

audio signal processing logic, said audio signal processing logic adapted to process audio signals from said audio signal distribution device into a form usable by said audio presentation device.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of said nodes comprise:

logic for storing said audio signals transferred from said audio signal distribution device, wherein said audio signals may be presented at a later time.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said audio signal has a digital format.

6. A method of distributing audio in a small environment comprising the steps of:

a) storing a plurality of audio signals on a central processor;

b) presenting a plurality of nodes a selection comprising a plurality of audio signals external to the central processor and at least a portion of the stored audio signals;

c) selecting audio signals from the selection presented in said b) to be transferred from said central processor to said plurality of nodes by inputting requests into said plurality of nodes;

d) transferring said audio signals selected in said c) from said central processor to said nodes; and

e) presenting said audio signals transferred in said d) on a plurality of audio presentation devices, wherein each audio presentation device is coupled to one node of said plurality of nodes, such that each node of said plurality of nodes is capable of playing a different audio signal than is being played concurrently on any other node of said plurality of nodes.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein step a) further comprises:

a1) receiving said plurality of audio signals from an external source; and

a2) compressing said plurality of audio signals.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein step a1) further comprises the step of digitizing said plurality of audio signals.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said e) further comprises the steps of:

receiving said audio signals transferred in said d) at said plurality of nodes; and

translating said received audio signals into a form suitable for said audio presentation devices.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said c) comprises the step of selecting said audio signals from the selection presented in said b) to be transferred to said plurality of nodes by inputting information into a portable computer system interfaced to at least one node of said plurality of nodes.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising one node of said plurality of nodes storing at least one audio signal of said plurality of audio signals in a buffer coupled to said one node of said plurality of nodes.

12. The method of claim 6 further comprising transferring a second audio signal of said plurality of audio signals to one node of said plurality of nodes;

and

storing said second audio signal in a buffer coupled to said one node of said plurality of nodes while a first audio signal of said plurality of audio signals is being presented on the audio presentation device coupled to said one node of said plurality of nodes.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said second audio signal comprises a second packet and said first audio signal comprises a first packet.

14. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of:

said plurality of nodes arbitrating for the transfer of said plurality of audio signals from said central processor.

15. The method of claim 6, further comprising, prior to said d):

determining if a first audio signal selected in said c) and received by the central processor comprises an audio signal stored on the central processor; and

if said first audio signal is not stored on the central processor, determining an external source coupled to the central processor from which to access the first audio signal.

16. An audio signal distribution system for distributing audio signals in a small environment comprising:

a) an audio signal distribution device, said audio signal distribution device adapted to distribute audio signals to a plurality of nodes, wherein each node of said plurality of nodes has at least one audio presentation device, such that said each node of said plurality of nodes is capable of playing a different audio signal than is being played concurrently on any other node of said plurality of nodes;

b) a storage device coupled to said audio signal distribution device, said storage device adapted to store said audio signals;

c) request logic connected to said storage device and adapted to interface with said plurality of nodes;

said request logic for receiving requests to transfer audio signals to said plurality of nodes;

d) receiving logic coupled to said audio signal distribution device, said receiving logic for receiving audio signals from an external source;

e) compression logic connected to said receiving logic and connected to said storage device, said compression logic for compressing said audio signals; and

f) determination logic coupled to said storage device and operable to determine if a first audio signal associated with a request to transfer the first audio signal to a node is stored on the storage device, and said determination logic further operable to determine an external source coupled to the central processor from which to access the first audio signal if said first audio signal is not stored on said storage device.

17. The system of claim 16 where said external source is the Internet.

18. The system of claim 16 where said external source is a local media device.

19. The system of claim 16 further comprising

g) conversion logic connected to said receiving logic and connected to said compression logic, said conversion logic for converting said audio signals from analog to digital.