Distributed stereo system

• US 7,181,023 B1
• Filed: 08/14/1998
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leisuretech Electronics Pty., Limited
• Original Assignee: Leisuretech Electronics Pty., Limited
• Inventors: Goldfinch, Andrew Chartres, Andrews, Leonard Colin
• Primary Examiner(s): Mei; Xu
• Application Number:
  US09/485,657
• Time in Patent Office: 3,112 Days
• Field of Search: 381/77, 381/79, 381/80, 700/94, 439/577
• US Class Current: 381/77
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2227/005 Audio distribution systems for home, i.e. multi-room use
• 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 5/02 Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers

Abstract

This invention concerns a distributed stereo audio system (1). Distributed stereo audio systems are used to provide stereo sound to several rooms or areas from a single source of signal. The system includes two or more speakers (2, 3) for the broadcast of stereo audio signals; a source of stereo audio signals; a stereo amplifier (4) to amplify stereo audio signals and drive the speakers; and a mains operated electrical power supply (10) to provide power to the amplifier. The amplifier is located in the same room as the speakers, and remote from the signal source and power supply. The amplifier is connected to the signal source and power supply by means of a category 5 four pair twisted cable (11) which provides, in respective twisted pairs, right channel audio signals (12) from the signal source to the amplifier, left channel audio (13) from the signal source to the amplifier, DC power (14) from the power supply to the amplifier, and control signals (20) from the amplifier to the signal source.

Claims

1. A distributed stereo audio system, including:

two or more speakers for the broadcast of stereo audio signals, a source of stereo audio signals, a stereo amplifier to amplify stereo audio signals and drive the speakers, and a mains operated electrical power supply to provide power to the amplifier;

where the amplifier is located in the same room as the speakers, and remote from the signal source and power supply; and

where the amplifier is connected to the signal source and power supply by means of a category 5 four pair twisted cable which provides, in respective conductors of the twisted pairs, right channel audio signals from the signal source to the amplifier, left channel audio from the signal source to the amplifier and DC power from the power supply to the amplifier.

2. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein amplifier and speaker sets in several rooms receive signals from a single source of audio signals.

3. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein the source provides a selection of components, selected from any one of a tape recorder, VCR, radio or CD, and different audio signals are provided to different rooms.

4. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the volume is set differently in each room.

5. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the amplifier is based on an integrated circuit amplifier.

6. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 5, wherein the amplifier is constructed to fit into a standard electrical light switch housing.

7. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the amplifier output level is controlled by the output level of the source of stereo audio signals.

8. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a manual volume control is included with the amplifier.

9. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a hand-held remote control is provided to transmit infrared signals to a receiver mounted with the amplifier.

10. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 9, wherein the amplifier is mounted with a speaker.

11. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 9, wherein the amplifier is mounted inside a standard electrical light fitting having a fascia plate that includes an infrared receiver.

12. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 11, wherein the fascia plate also includes status indicators for the amplifier and the source of stereo audio signals.

13. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 9, wherein infrared signals received by the amplifier are transmitted to the source of stereo audio signals components through a fourth twisted pair in the category 5 cable.

14. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 13, wherein the infrared signals are modulated before transmission to an infrared emitter which directly controls the source of stereo audio signals.

15. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 13, wherein the infrared signals are demodulated and provided as data signals to the source of stereo audio signals.

16. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein the amplifier accepts standard line level signals from the source of stereo audio signals.

17. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein the amplifier accepts speaker signals from another amplifier.

18. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein the amplifier includes a switchable muting system.

19. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 1, wherein the amplifier includes an adjustable input level trim device.

20. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 4, wherein the amplifier is based on an integrated circuit amplifier.

21. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 20, wherein the amplifier is constructed to fit into a standard electrical light switch housing.

22. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 11, wherein the infrared signals are modulated before transmission to an infrared emitter which directly controls the source of stereo audio signals.

23. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 22, wherein the amplifier accepts standard line level signals from the source of stereo audio signals.

24. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 12, wherein the infrared signals are modulated before transmission to an infrared emitter which directly controls the source of stereo audio signals.

25. A distributed stereo audio system according to claim 24, wherein the amplifier accepts standard line level signals from the source of stereo audio signals.