Network amplifer in an audio video distribution system

• US 9,980,001 B2
• Filed: 04/14/2016
• Issued: 05/22/2018
• 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:
  US15/099,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20170013304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 768 Days
• 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

The present disclosure describes a networked amplifier in an audio video distribution system that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a TCP/IP LAN (local area network) using TCP/IP as the communication protocol. The networked amplifier includes a network controller where the controller includes an embedded controller with a processor, memory, and storage functioning as a web server. Further included is a digital signal processor (DSP) that includes a pre-amplifier, amplifier, and an electronic crossover for frequency division. Also included are analog sensors that used for receiving and or gathering control information that enables internal auto adjustment. And further included is an analog driver circuitry.

Claims

1. A networked amplifier that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a LAN (local area network), comprising:

a network controller that controls the transfer of the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network;

a network interface that couples said network controller to the LAN network;

one or more processors with memory and storage, said processor uses or includes a speaker/microphone driver to provide the external connection for the speaker/microphone components;

a pre-amplifier that adjusts and filters the analog audio signal;

an amplifier that amplifies the analog audio signal; and

sensors that include a microphone that receives and/or gathers control information that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance the protection and performance from the surroundings of the networked amplifier.

2. The claim according to claim 1 wherein a microphone couples to said speaker/microphone driver and provides the analog audio signal.

3. The claim according to claim 1 wherein a speaker couples to said speaker/microphone driver and receives the analog audio signal.

4. The claim according to claim 1 wherein the network amplifier receives and transmits control information to other devices on the LAN.

5. The claim according to claim 1 wherein the control information further comprises an alarm condition.

6. The claim according to claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to function as a web server.

7. The claim according to claim 1 wherein said processor further includes an electronic crossover for frequency division.

8. A method to make a networked amplifier that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a LAN (local area network), comprising:

providing a network controller that controls the transfer of the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network;

coupling a network interface to said network controller to the LAN network;

providing one or more processors with memory and storage, said processor uses or includes a speaker/microphone driver to provide the external connection for the speaker/microphone components;

providing a pre-amplifier that adjusts and filters the analog audio signal;

providing an amplifier that amplifies the analog audio signal; and

providing sensors that include a microphone that receives and/or gathers control information that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from said network speaker nodes surroundings.

9. The claim according to claim 8 wherein a microphone couples to said speaker/microphone driver and provides the analog audio signal.

10. The claim according to claim 8 wherein a speaker couples to said speaker/microphone driver and receives the analog audio signal.

11. The claim according to claim 8 wherein the network amplifier receives and transmits control information to other devices on the LAN.

12. The claim according to claim 8 wherein the control information further comprises an alarm condition.

13. The claim according to claim 8 wherein said processor is programmed to function as a web server.

14. The claim according to claim 8 wherein said the networked amplifier further includes an electronic crossover for frequency division.

15. A method to use a networked amplifier that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a LAN (local area network), comprising:

transferring the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network with a network controller;

providing a network interface that couples said network controller to the LAN network;

providing one or more processors with memory and storage, said processor uses or includes a speaker/microphone driver to provide the external connection for the speaker/microphone components;

adjusting and filtering the analog audio signal with a pre-amplifier;

amplifying the analog audio signal with an amplifier;

receiving and/or gathering control information with sensors that include a microphone, the control information enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from surroundings of the networked amplifier.

16. The claim according to claim 15 wherein a microphone couples to said speaker/microphone driver and provides the analog audio signal.

17. The claim according to claim 15 wherein a speaker couples to said speaker/microphone driver and receives the analog audio signal.

18. The claim according to claim 15 wherein the network amplifier receives and transmits control information to other devices on the LAN.

19. The claim according to claim 15 wherein the control information further comprises an alarm condition.

20. The claim according to claim 15 wherein said processor is programmed to function as a web server.

21. The claim according to claim 15 wherein said the networked amplifier further includes an electronic crossover for frequency division.

22. A non-transitory program storage device readable by a computing device that tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the computing device to perform a method to use a networked amplifier that converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal used in a video and audio system that uses a LAN (local area network), comprising:

transferring the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network with a network controller;

providing a network interface that couples said network controller to the LAN network;

providing one or more processors with memory and storage, said processor uses or includes a speaker/microphone driver to provide the external connection for the speaker/microphone components;

adjusting and filtering the analog audio signal with a pre-amplifier;

amplifying the analog audio signal with an amplifier;

receiving and/or gathering control information with sensors that include a microphone, the control information enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance from surroundings of the networked amplifier.

23. The claim according to claim 22 wherein a microphone couples to said speaker/microphone driver and provides the analog audio signal.

24. The claim according to claim 22 wherein a speaker couples to said speaker/microphone driver and receives the analog audio signal.

25. The claim according to claim 22 wherein the network amplifier receives and transmits control information to other devices on the LAN.

26. The claim according to claim 22 wherein the control information further comprises an alarm condition.

27. The claim according to claim 22 wherein said processor is programmed to function as a web server.

28. The claim according to claim 22 wherein said the networked amplifier further includes an electronic crossover for frequency division.