Audio video distribution system using multiple network speaker nodes in a multi speaker session

• US 9,331,864 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2011
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Clearone Incorporated
• Original Assignee: NetStreams LLC (Clearone Incorporated)
• Inventors: Braithwaite, Michael, Cardenas, Herman
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Ping
• Application Number:
  US13/078,289
• Publication Number:
  US 20110185389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,859 Days
• Field of Search: 700/94, 381/73.1, 381/89, 381/90, 381/55, 381/56, 381/59, 381/96
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/683 using metadata automatically derived from the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2801 Broadband local area networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2823 Reporting information sensed by appliance or service execution status of appliance services in a home automation network device-related reporting H04L43/065; arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/233 Processing of audio elementary streams monitoring, identification or recognition of audio in broadcast systems H04H60/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234 Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42203 sound input device, e.g. microphone
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4398 involving reformatting operations of audio signals details of audio signal transcoding G10L19/173
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4402 involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display details of conversion of video standards at pixel level H04N7/01; video transcoding H04N19/40; adapting incoming signals to the display format of the display terminal G09G5/005; media handling at the source in data packet switching networks H04L65/764
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6332 directed to client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6338 directed to network

Abstract

This disclosure describes an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network to distribute a digital audio signal and that uses multiple network speaker nodes to broadcast the digital audio in a multi speaker session. The system includes a local area network that distributes the digital audio signal for the audio video distribution system. In addition, the system includes a first network speaker node participating in a multi speaker session and performing in a master mode, and where the first network speaker node calculates, originates, and controls a distributed multi session clock that is distributed over the network. The system further includes one or more additional network speaker nodes participating in the multi speaker session and perform in a slave mode, and where the additional network speaker nodes receive the distributed multi session clock from the first speaker node.

Claims

1. An audio video distribution system that uses a local area network to distribute a digital audio signal and that uses multiple network speaker nodes to broadcast the digital audio in a multi speaker session, comprising:

a local area network that distributes the digital audio signal for the audio video distribution system;

a first network speaker node participating in a multi speaker session and performing in a master mode, said first network speaker node couples to said local area network, said first network speaker node calculates, originates, and controls a distributed multi session clock that is distributed over said network; and

one or more additional network speaker nodes participating in said multi speaker session and perform in a slave mode, said additional network speaker nodes couple to said local area network, said additional network speaker nodes receive said distributed multi session clock from said first speaker node;

wherein said network speaker nodes further comprises;

an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server;

a digital signal processor that converts the digital audio signal to the analog audio signal;

a pre-amplifier that couples to said digital signal processor and adjusts and filters the analog audio signal and an amplifier that couples to said pre-amplifier and amplifies the analog audio signal, said pre-amplifier further comprises an electronic crossover for frequency division;

speaker sensors that include a microphone used for receiving and or gathering control information that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from said network speaker nodes surroundings; and

a speaker/microphone driver that couples to said amplifier and provides the external connection to the speaker/microphone components for the analog audio signal.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein each said network speaker nodes further comprise one or more audio input devices such that said network speaker nodes triangulate user locations for audio optimization.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said network speaker nodes use differential masking for control purposes.

4. A method to manufacture an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network to distribute a digital audio signal and that uses multiple network speaker nodes to broadcast the digital audio in a multi speaker session, comprising:

providing a local area network that distributes the digital audio signal for the audio video distribution system;

coupling a first network speaker node to said local area network, said first network speaker node participates in a multi speaker session and performs in a master mode, said first network speaker node calculates, originates, and controls a distributed multi session clock that is distributed over said network; and

coupling one or more additional network speaker nodes to said local area network, said additional network speaker nodes participate in said multi speaker session and perform in a slave mode, said additional network speaker nodes receive said distributed multi session clock from said first speaker node;

wherein said network speaker nodes further comprises;

an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server;

a digital signal processor that converts the digital audio signal to the analog audio signal;

a pre-amplifier that couples to said digital signal processor and adjusts and filters the analog audio signal and an amplifier that couples to said pre-amplifier and amplifies the analog audio signal, said pre-amplifier further comprises an electronic crossover for frequency division; and

speaker sensors that include a microphone used for receiving and or gathering control information that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from said network speaker nodes surroundings;

a speaker/microphone driver that couples to said amplifier and provides the external connection to the speaker/microphone components for the analog audio signal.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein each said network speaker nodes further comprise one or more audio input devices such that said network speaker nodes triangulate user locations for audio optimization.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said network speaker nodes use differential masking for control purposes.

7. A method to use an audio video distribution system that uses a local area network to distribute a digital audio signal and that uses multiple network speaker nodes to broadcast the digital audio in a multi speaker session, comprising:

distributing the digital audio signal for the audio video distribution system through a local area network;

distributing the digital audio signal to a first network speaker node to couples said local area network, said first network speaker node participates in a multi speaker session and performs in a master mode, said first network speaker node calculates, originates, and controls a distributed multi session clock that is distributed over said network; and

distributing the digital audio signal to one or more additional network speaker nodes that couple to said local area network, said additional network speaker nodes participate in said multi speaker session and perform in a slave mode, said additional network speaker nodes receive said distributed multi session clock from said first speaker node;

wherein said network speaker nodes further comprises;

an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server;

a digital signal processor that converts the digital audio signal to the analog audio signal;

a pre-amplifier that couples to said digital signal processor and adjusts and filters the analog audio signal and an amplifier that couples to said pre-amplifier and amplifies the analog audio signal, said pre-amplifier further comprises an electronic crossover for frequency division;

speaker sensors that include a microphone used for receiving and or gathering control information that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from said network speaker nodes surroundings; and

a speaker/microphone driver that couples to said amplifier and provides the external connection to the speaker/microphone components for the analog audio signal.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein each said network speaker nodes further comprise one or more audio input devices such that said network speaker nodes triangulate user locations for audio optimization.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said network speaker nodes use differential masking for control purposes.