Sound control system, sound control device, electronic device, and method for controlling sound

• US 7,099,483 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Inagaki, Kazuya
• Primary Examiner(s): Grier, Laura A.
• Application Number:
  US10/767,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20040184619A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 381/307, 381/103, 381/123, 381/77, 381 58- 59
• US Class Current: 381/77
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2205/024 Positioning of loudspeaker enclosures for spatial sound reproduction
• 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 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A sound control system includes a plurality of electronic devices connected to a communication network, each of the electronic devices being capable of independently producing sound from connected speakers, and a sound control device transmitting control signals for controlling the electronic devices and audio signals to the electronic devices via the communication network. Each electronic device includes receiving means for receiving the control signals and the audio signals via the communication network, and selecting means for switching from other external signals to the audio signals in response to the control signals in order to drive the speakers by only the audio signals output to the speakers.

Claims

1. A sound control system comprising:

a plurality of electronic devices connected to a communication network, each of the electronic devices being capable of independently producing sound from connected speakers; and

a sound control device identifying the electronic devices, the sound control device transmitting control signals for controlling electronic devices and the sound control device transmitting the audio signals to the speakers to the electronic devices;

wherein each electronic device comprises receiving means for receiving the control signals and the audio signals via the communication network and selecting in for switching from other external signals to the audio signals in response to the control signals in order to drive the speakers by only the audio signals output to the speakers, and

wherein the communication network includes a power line communication network, and

wherein the sound control device comprises a sound collector, test signal transmitting means for transmitting test signals to the electronic devices via the communication network, and correction means for receiving test sounds produced from the sneakers with sound collector in response to the test signals, for analyzing the received sound signal, and for adjusting the output balance of the audio signals to the electronic devices.

2. A sound control system according to claim 1, wherein the audio signals include surround sound signals.

3. A sound control system according to one of claim 1 to 2, wherein the communication network includes a wireless communication network.

4. A sound control system according to claim 1, wherein the electronic devices include at least two of a television set, a Mini-Disc (MD) audio component, a personal computer, and a radio set.

5. A sound control system comprising:

a plurality of electronic devices connected to a communication network, each of the electronic devices being capable of independently producing sound from connected speakers;

a sound control device identifying the electronic devices, the sound control device transmitting control signals for controlling the electronic devices and the sound control device transmitting the audio signals to the speakers to the electronic devices; and

a lighting apparatus connected to the communication network,

wherein each electronic device comprises receiving means for receiving the control signals and the audio signals via the communication network and selecting means for switching from other external signals to the audio signals in response to the control signals in order to drive the speakers by only the audio signals output to the speakers,

wherein the sound control device is capable of transmitting a light signal for changing the illumination light of the lighting apparatus via the communication network, and the lighting apparatus comprises light-signal receiving means for receiving the light signal via the communication network and light control means for changing at least one of the intensity and the color of the illumination light in response to the light signal, and

wherein the sound control device comprises a sound collector test signal transmitting means for transmitting test signals to the electronic devices via the communication network, and correction means for receiving test sounds produced from the speakers with the sound collector in response to the test signals, for analyzing the received sound signal, and for adjusting the output balance of the audio signals to the electronic devices.

6. A sound control device comprising transmitting means connected via a communication network to a plurality of electronic devices capable of independently producing sounds from connected speakers, the transmitting means being capable of identifying the electronic devices and transmitting control signals for controlling the electronic devices and the sound control device transmitting the audio signals to the speakers to the electronic devices, wherein the control signals includes at least signals for switching from other external signals to the audio signals in order to drive the speakers by only the audio signals output to the speakers,

a sound collector

test signal transmitting means for transmitting test signals to the electronic devices via the communication network;

and

correction means for receiving test sounds from the speakers with the collector in response to the test signals, analyzing the received sound signal, and adjusting the output balance of the audio signals to the electronic devices,

wherein the sound control device is capable of transmitting a light signal for changing the illumination light of a lighting apparatus via the communication network, an the light signal changes at least one of the intensity and the color of the illumination light.