Patent Application
20240048925
The embodiments described herein relate generally to loudspeakers, and more specifically to systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in an audio distribution system.
The rise in hybrid work has placed increasing demands on the level of reliability expected of business audio systems. Simultaneously, the audio market has become ever-more sophisticated. While this increasing sophistication offers new features for customers, the modern audio distribution network is more challenging than ever to successfully install.
Audio systems can include audio signal sources and receivers, amplifiers, digital signal processors, internet or other network interfaces, cabling, and loudspeakers. While many enterprise systems (audio, environmental, lighting, shading, and the like) require careful installation, audio systems present unique challenges. These challenges include the distributed nature of the system, and the potential for latent, hard-to-troubleshoot issues, among others.
There are numerous issues that can be encountered when installing traditional loudspeakers. The standard architecture currently employed by the industry requires a field installer to run speaker wire between amplifier outputs and speakers. This requires a wire stripper, a specific type of wire (i.e., speaker wire) and an installer with some degree of specialized familiarity with speaker installations. In addition to the added work and complexity, the inherent nature of speaker wire installation opens the possibility for human error. If the installer were to accidentally flip the polarity of the speaker wire, the result would be a loudspeaker 180° out-of-phase from the source. While potentially immediately evident in a multi-speaker system, this mistake would likely go undetected in a single-speaker setup. In such a scenario, the latent issue might not emerge until a later point in time when the space is upgraded to include additional speakers. The destructive interference between the two out-of-phase audio sources result would result in degraded performance. That the original error was made months or potentially years prior, likely by another installer, would make it difficult and time-intensive to troubleshoot.
Still more challenges arise when one considers loudspeakers that include an integrated amplifier, hereafter referred to as active loudspeakers. Such devices can receive power and audio streams through standard interfaces (e.g., RJ45); some embodiments of Active Loudspeakers may additionally transmit speaker-level audio on similarly common-place connectors. Given the large amount of equipment located in a modem office, it is entirely possible for the installer to accidentally connect an Active Loudspeakers to a piece of unrelated equipment (e.g., a projector). If unmitigated, a miswiring of this nature can destroy one or both pieces of equipment. Further challenges include the sheer number of audio zones found in a modem office building; as the number of zones increase, it becomes increasingly important for the installer to easily correlate digital IDs with physical speakers. A final challenge includes maximizing system audio volume per the power constraints associated with any given installation; power steering and manipulation of the audio stream must be implemented to get the most volume out of a given power scheme (e.g., IEEE802.3af versus IEEE802.3at).
Accordingly, a need has arisen for systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in an audio distribution system.
It is an object of the embodiments to substantially solve at least the problems and/or disadvantages discussed above, and to provide at least one or more of the advantages described below.
It is therefore a general aspect of the embodiments to provide systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in in an audio distribution system that will obviate or minimize problems of the type previously described.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Further features and advantages of the aspects of the embodiments, as well as the structure and operation of the various embodiments, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the aspects of the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein. Such embodiments are presented herein for illustrative purposes only. Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) based on the teachings contained herein.
According to a first aspect of the embodiments, an apparatus to verify connection between a first and second electronic device is provided, comprising: an ethernet cable connected at a first end to a first device at a first connector and connected at a second end to a second device at a second connector, and wherein the ethernet cable comprises four twisted pairs of conductors; a voltage source in the first device connected to a first end of a first conductor of a first twisted pair in the ethernet cable; a resistor with a first known resistance value located in the second device connected at a first end of the resistor to a second end of the first conductor of the first twisted pair and a second end of the resistor connected to a second end of a second conductor of the first twisted pair; and a connection verification circuit located in the first device connected to a second end of the second conductor of the first twisted pair of the ethernet cable, wherein the connection verification circuit is adapted to generate a connection verification status signal when the second device is properly connected to the second device via the ethernet cable.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the connection verification circuit comprises: a first-two resistor voltage divider circuit adapted to generate an upper voltage limit; a second two-resistor voltage divider circuit adapted to generate a lower voltage limit; and a third two-resistor voltage divider circuit adapted to generate a status voltage, wherein when the status voltage is greater than the lower voltage limit and lower than the upper voltage limit a proper connection exists between the first and second electronic devices, and further wherein when the status voltage is either lower than the lower voltage limit or higher than the upper voltage limit a bad connection or no connection exists between the first and second electronic devices.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the connection verification circuit further comprises: a first comparator adapted to receive, as a first reference voltage, the lower voltage limit, and to receive, as a first comparator input, the status voltage, and wherein the first comparator generates a first comparator first output when the status voltage is greater than the lower voltage limit and a first comparator second output when the status voltage is lower than the lower voltage limit; a second comparator adapted to receive, as a second reference voltage, the upper voltage limit, and to receive, as a second comparator input, the status voltage, and wherein the second comparator generates a second comparator first output when the status voltage is lower than the higher voltage limit and a second comparator second output when the status voltage is higher than the higher voltage limit; and a verification circuit adapted to receive the first comparator output first output, the first comparator second output, the second comparator first output, and the second comparator second output, and generate and transmit a connection status signal based on all of the outputs of the first and second comparators.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the connection status signal indicates a proper connection exists between the first and second electronic devices when the first comparator generates a first comparator first output and the second comparator generates a second comparator first output, and a bad connection or no connection exists between the first and second electronic devices when the first comparator generates a first comparator second output and/or the second comparator generates a second comparator second output.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the first electronic device comprises an active loudspeaker assembly, and wherein the second electronic device comprises a passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the active loudspeaker assembly comprises: at least one first loudspeaker; and at least one amplifier adapted to provide an amplified audio signal to the at least one first loudspeaker, and to provide an amplified audio signal to the passive loudspeaker assembly through the ethernet cable.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the passive loudspeaker assembly comprises: at least one second loudspeaker.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, each of the first and second loudspeakers comprise a balanced mode radiator (BMR) loudspeaker.
According to the first aspects of the embodiments, the active loudspeaker assembly comprises: at least one second amplifier adapted to provide an amplified audio signal to the at least one second loudspeaker in the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to a second aspect of the embodiments, a method for verifying connection between a first and second electronic device is provided, the method comprising: connecting an ethernet cable at a first end to the first electronic device at a first connector and connecting the ethernet cable at a second end to the second electronic device at a second connector, and wherein the ethernet cable comprises four twisted pairs of conductors; and generating a connection status signal by a connection verification circuit located in the first electronic device, wherein the connection status signal indicates a status of a connection between the first electronic device and the second electronic device as either a good connection status or a bad connection status.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, the connection status signal indicates a good connection status when the first and second electronic devices are properly connected, and wherein the connection status signal indicates a bad connection status when the cable is defective, or the first and second electronic devices are not properly connected.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, the first and second electronic devices are not properly connected when the second electronic device is not a substantially similar type of electronic device.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, the step of generating a connection status signal comprises: generating a current by applying a voltage through a first conductor of a first twisted pair in the ethernet cable such that a current is generated in a first resistor located in the second electronic device; passing the current through a second conductor of the first twisted pair back to the first electronic device and through a second resistor to ground, such that a connection status voltage is generated at the intersection of the first and second resistor; comparing the connection status voltage to an upper voltage limit and a lower voltage limit; and generating either a good connection status signal if the connection status voltage is greater than the lower voltage limit and less than the upper voltage limit, or generating a bad connection status signal if the connection status voltage is either lower than the lower voltage limit or greater than the upper voltage limit.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, the first electronic device comprises an active loudspeaker assembly and the second electronic device comprises a passive loudspeaker assembly, and wherein the active loudspeaker assembly comprises at least one first loudspeaker; and at least one amplifier adapted to provide an amplified audio signal to the at least one first loudspeaker, and to provide an amplified audio signal to the passive loudspeaker through the ethernet cable, and wherein the passive loudspeaker assembly comprises at least one second loudspeaker.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, each of the first and second loudspeakers comprise a balanced mode radiator (BMR) loudspeaker.
According to the second aspects of the embodiments, the active loudspeaker assembly comprises: at least one second amplifier adapted to provide an amplified audio signal to the at least one second loudspeaker.
According to a third aspect of the embodiments, an audio distribution system (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least one active loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one first loudspeaker and at least one amplifier adapted to generate amplified audio signals to be broadcast by the at least one first loudspeaker, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to output the amplified audio signals, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digital signals, and has a unique digital address; and at least one passive loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one second loudspeaker, the at least one passive loudspeaker assembly connected to the active loudspeaker assembly via an ethernet cable and adapted to receive the amplified audio signals from the active loudspeaker assembly; a connection verification circuit located in the active loudspeaker assembly and connected to the ethernet cable, and wherein the connection verification circuit is adapted to generate a connection verification status signal, wherein the connection status signal indicates a status of a connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly as either a good connection status or a bad connection status; and an audio distribution system (ADS) controller, the ADS controller comprising: at least one processor communicatively coupled to each of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assemblies; an input device communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and a memory operatively connected with the at least one processor, wherein the memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to execute a method that comprises: receiving as an input from the active loudspeaker assembly the connection verification status signal; and outputting the connection verification status signal to a display that conveys the status of the connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the third aspects of the embodiments, the system further comprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADS controller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signals to the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly; and a network server communicatively coupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adapted to receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audio information to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the third aspects of the embodiments, each of the at least one first loudspeaker and at least one second loudspeaker are balanced mode radiator loudspeakers.
According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments, an audio distribution system (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least one active loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one first loudspeaker and at least one amplifier adapted to generate amplified audio signals to be broadcast by the at least one first loudspeaker, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to output the amplified audio signals, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digital signals, and has a unique digital address; and at least one passive loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one second loudspeaker, the at least one passive loudspeaker assembly connected to the active loudspeaker assembly via an ethernet cable and adapted to receive the amplified audio signals from the active loudspeaker assembly; a connection verification circuit located in the active loudspeaker assembly and connected to the ethernet cable, and wherein the connection verification circuit is adapted to generate a connection verification status signal, wherein the connection status signal indicates a status of a connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly as either a good connection status or a bad connection status; and a personal computer (PC) communicatively coupled to the ADS, and wherein the personal computer comprises: at least one PC processor communicatively coupled to each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; a PC input device communicatively coupled to the at least one PC processor; and a PC memory operatively connected with the at least one PC processor, wherein the PC memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one PC processor, causes the at least one PC processor to execute a method that comprises: receiving as an input from the active loudspeaker assembly the connection verification status signal; and outputting the connection verification status signal to a display that conveys the status of the connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the fourth aspects of the embodiments, the system further comprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADS controller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signals to the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly; and a network server communicatively coupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adapted to receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audio information to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the fourth aspects of the embodiments, each of the at least one first loudspeaker and at least one second loudspeaker are balanced mode radiator loudspeakers.
According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments, an audio distribution system (ADS) is provided, comprising: at least one active loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one first loudspeaker and at least one amplifier adapted to generate amplified audio signals to be broadcast by the at least one first loudspeaker, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to output the amplified audio signals, and wherein the at least one active loudspeaker assembly is adapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digital signals, and has a unique digital address; and at least one passive loudspeaker assembly comprising at least one second loudspeaker, the at least one passive loudspeaker assembly connected to the active loudspeaker assembly via an ethernet cable and adapted to receive the amplified audio signals from the active loudspeaker assembly; a connection verification circuit located in the active loudspeaker assembly and connected to the ethernet cable, and wherein the connection verification circuit is adapted to generate a connection verification status signal, wherein the connection status signal indicates a status of a connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly as either a good connection status or a bad connection status; and a mobile device (MD) communicatively coupled to the ADS, and wherein the MD comprises: at least one MD processor communicatively coupled to each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies; a MD input device communicatively coupled to the at least one MD processor; and a MD memory operatively connected with the at least one MD processor, wherein the MD memory stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one MD processor, causes the at least one MD processor to execute a method that comprises: receiving as an input from the active loudspeaker assembly the connection verification status signal; and outputting the connection verification status signal to a display that conveys the status of the connection between the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, the system further comprises: an external audio source, communicatively coupled to the ADS controller, the external audio source adapted to transmit audio signals to the ADS controller to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly; and a network server communicatively coupled to the ADS controller and a network, the network server adapted to receive messages through the network, the messages comprising audio information to be broadcast through at least one of the active loudspeaker assembly and the passive loudspeaker assembly.
According to the fifth aspect of the embodiments, each of the at least one first loudspeaker and at least one second loudspeaker are balanced mode radiator loudspeakers.
The above and other objects and features of the embodiments will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the following figures. Different aspects of the embodiments are illustrated in reference figures of the drawings. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered to be illustrative rather than limiting. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the aspects of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The embodiments are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the inventive concept are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. The scope of the embodiments is therefore defined by the appended claims. The detailed description that follows is written from the point of view of a control systems company, so it is to be understood that generally the concepts discussed herein are applicable to various subsystems and not limited to only a particular controlled device or class of devices, such as test system, and more particularly to automated test systems of a bi-directional audio communication system for use with teleconferencing systems.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the embodiments. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular feature, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The different aspects of the embodiments described herein pertain to the context of a systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in an audio distribution system but is not limited thereto, except as may be set forth expressly in the appended claims.
Crestron Electronics Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturer of control and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify and enhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Crestron designs, manufactures, and offers for sale integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, and environmental systems. In addition, the devices and systems offered by Crestron streamlines technology, improving the quality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals, and homes, among other locations. Accordingly, the systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in an audio distribution system can be used in loudspeakers system that can be manufactured by Crestron Electronics Inc., located in Rockleigh, NJ.
Used throughout the specification are several acronyms, the meanings of which are provided as follows:
The following is a list of the elements of the Figures in numerical order:
ADS 100 can be used in an enterprise location 102, such as a corporate entity, a public/private commercial building, a home, a government building, among other types of buildings wherein high-quality audio distribution is desired. ADS 100 interconnects with network system 104 through network server 108, and comprises one or more of personal computer (PC) 120, mobile electronic device (MED) 118) (which can be a cell phone, tablet, laptop, or any other type of electronic communication device), ethernet cable (CAT5) 106, audio system controller (ASC) 110, one or more external audio sources 122, one or more active loudspeaker assemblies (ALA) 112, and one or more passive loudspeaker assemblies (PLA) 114 according to aspects of the embodiments. ALAs 112 can be installed in their own conference room 116, or ALAs 112 can be paired with one or more PLAs 114 in a conference room 116. As shown in
In installing ADS 100, installers would locate ASC 110 in a location that is network accessible via ethernet cable 106, or via a wireless connection (not shown), via WiFi or some other wireless medium. ASC 110 can receive remotely located commands and/or audio through network server 108 and network system 104. PC 120 can be in the form of desktop computer, laptop, tablet, personal digital assistant, or practically another type of computing device that has processor 124, memory 126, and a copy of audio control system (ACS) application (App) 128 stored in memory 126. Thus, MED 118 can also store a copy of ACS App 128, and can communicate via Bluetooth, WiFi, near field communications (NFC), ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies with ACS 110 according to aspects of the embodiments. External audio sources 122 can also be connected to ASC 110 via hardwired or wireless interfaces, and can provide audio such as music or voice (via a microphone, not shown). External audio source 122 can include an analog or digital stereo, radio, compact disk player, turntable, mic/public announcement system, among other sources of audio.
In
Attention is now directed to
ALA 112, and any other active device that relies on ALA 112, can be referred to as a “powered device” or PD, and from which it derives its power from a power sourcing equipment (PSE) that provides PoE.
ALA 112 is an “active” device in that it contains all the circuitry and components needed to receive AoIP signals, as well as other IP based messages, process received AoIP and other IP signals, convert the digital audio signals to an analog signal and amplify them (using a Class-D amplifier, though that need not necessarily be the case, in that a separate digital-to-analog converter (DAC) can be included and a different type of amplifier used), and process the digital audio signals using a DSP (although, some/all of the DSP functions can be implemented using analog circuitry, but which are not shown). In addition, ALA 112 further comprises PLVC 218 that includes active circuitry to process the verification signal from a correctly connected PLA 114, and transmit an output to ALA controller 210. ALA controller 210 can further receive IP commands and instructions, as well as the AoIP signals, and process all of the signals, and report back status information to ASC 110 according to aspects of the embodiments. ALA controller 210 outputs AoIP signals (i.e., audio data) to DSP 212 as a I2S digital audio signal 222, though other forms of transmitting audio data are possible in either or both digital and analog form. According to further aspects of the embodiments, use of ethernet cable 106 and PLVC 218 ensures that the polarity of the signals output from Amps 214 are not swapped when interconnecting different PLAs 114 to ALA 112; it is entirely possible that if such ethernet cable 106 and PLVC 218 were not used, a first and second PLA 114 could be connected with their polarities opposite to that of each other, and audio dropouts could occur in some locations because the audio output from the two different PLAs 114 would be 180° out of phase with each other. Other advantages include that special equipment is not needed to cut and strip speaker wires.
IP signals are transmitted from ASC 110 and received by Ethernet transceiver 208, and IP signals can be transmitted by Ethernet transceiver 208 and received by ASC 110. The bi-directional IP signals can contain AoIP signals, status signals, command and control signals, and the like. Power is extracted from ethernet cable 106 (CAT5 Ethernet cable) by PoE extractor circuit 206 and provided to all of the active circuitry in ALA 112, including audio Amps 214. ALA controller 210 extracts the digital audio signals from the AoIP signals and provides the same to DSP 212. According to aspects of the embodiments, audio signals are transported to ADS 100 as ethernet signals, which are received by Ethernet transceiver 208, output to ALA controller 210, which decodes the ethernet audio packets, converts them to I2S and sends it to DSP 212. DSP 212 provides equalization, bass boosting and other signal processing functions before passing the audio along to Amps 214. DSP 212 processes the digital audio signals according to a stored set of parameters, or can be actively controller by a user of ADS 100 via ASC 110 and ACS App 128 according to aspects of the embodiments. That is, upon initialization of ADS 100, DSP 212 can have pre-loaded parameters for processing audio signals, which can be selected manually when audio is present or about to be present, or one of the one or more pre-loaded parameters can automatically set to be used as soon DSP 212 is powered up.
The output of DSP 212 is transmitted to one or more Amps 214. If in the conference room 116 or the area that ADS 100 is being used there is only need for one loudspeaker, then there would be only one loudspeaker 216 connected to a respective Amp 214. For large areas, however, or for more complete audio coverage, an ALA 112 and one or more PLAs 114 can be used. For the purposes of this discussion, it will be presumed that the setup is similar to that shown in
According to aspects of the embodiments, the output of DSP 212 is analog audio signal 226 and is input to one or more Amps 214. Amp 214a is connected to loudspeaker 216; in this case, a balanced mode radiator (BMR) loudspeaker, though that need not necessarily be the case. Furthermore, each of the loudspeakers in each PLA 114 can also be BMR loudspeakers, as shown in
According to further aspects of the embodiments, ADS 100 can locate each ALA 112 (and PLA 114) via a visual indicator and an aural signal (or an audio indicator. Such audio indicator and/or or aural signal (described below as a pre-stored sound signal) can be in the form of a tone, a plurality of tones (of the same or different amplitudes), a voice (real or simulated), a plurality of voices (any combination of real or simulated voices), a song or a sample of a song, a natural sound (such as a bird singing, water in a brook, beach, rain storm, lightning, rocks hitting each other, and the like), artificially/computer generated sounds, real or artificial instruments, mechanical sounds (e.g., engines, machines, and the like), among other types of sounds.
In regard to the former, a signal can be generated and transmitted from ASC 110 in response to an input from user (whom can be either locally or remotely located) to MED 118, PC 120 or as a direct input to ASC 110, all in use with ACS App 128. That is, in response to an input from the user, ACS App 128 generates a command that is transmitted from ASC 110 through ethernet cable 106 to a particular ALA 112 (or PLA 114). According to aspects of the embodiments, and as described in greater detail below, upon configuration, each ALA 112 and PLA 114 is “found” by ASC 110 and its internal IP address noted. In addition, a description can be added in a “notes” section that describes the physical location of each ALA 112 and PLA 114 (e.g., “ALA 112a is located directly in front of the podium at the South end of the board room”). Once such a list is generated, a user can refer to it and generate the visual indicator command for the particular ALA 112 and/or PLA 114 and a visual indication will be generated for either a predetermined period of time, or for a programmed period of time. Such visual indicator commands are received by ALA controller 210, which then generates a signal transmitted as controller control/data/digital signals 224 to loudspeaker assembly visual identifier circuit 220, which displays the visual indication for the predetermined period of time. Loudspeaker assembly visual identifier circuit 220 can be one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or other type of light generating device/display. In
According to further aspects of the embodiments, each PLA 114 is connected to the output of an Amp 214 via ethernet cable 106, which is an Ethernet CAT5 cable with 4 twisted pairs (TP) of conductors, the details of which are shown in
In
According to aspects of the embodiments, PLVC 218, has been implemented within ALA 112 circuit. PLVC 218 reads the value of passive loudspeaker assembly verification resistor 302 (R302) located in PLA 114. By doing so, the ALA is able to determine that the connected device is PLA 114. According to aspects of the embodiments, implementation of PLVC 218 provides a low-cost means of securely verifying that a device connected to ALA 112 is a PLA 114. PLVC 218 comprises simple resistor dividers and a comparator. In operation of PLVC 218, a test voltage is applied to line 7 of TP4 in ethernet cable 106 (the “Verify” line) through blocking diode D1. If PLA 114 is present, R302 forms a circuit, allowing an injection current to pass through resistor R302, diode D2 and resistor R5 of PLVC 218. The voltage at the node of R5 and D2 (VStatus) can be approximated by the following equation:
VStatus is checked against an upper bound and lower bound of voltage measurements, VUB and VLB, respectively, by comparators Comp1 and Comp2 (also part of PLVC 218).
The outputs of Comp1 and Comp2 are received by verification circuit digital interface 304 (also part of PLVC 218), which receives the outputs of the comparators and generates a verification status signal, PLA connection status signal 228, which is then transmitted to DSP 212 according to aspects of the embodiments. According to aspects of the embodiments, if VStatus is between VUB and VLB, then PLA connection status signal 228 reports a good connection between ALA 112 and PLA 114, which implies a good cable connected properly. If either of VUB or VLB is exceeded, then PLA connection status signal 228 will not report a good connection, i.e., a failed connection, which can signify a bad ethernet cable 106, or a good or bad ethernet cable 106 connected to the wrong piece of electronic equipment.
In ALA 112 there is a PLVC 218 for each PLA connector 204; in the non-limiting example shown in
According to further aspects of the embodiments, each connector 204a-c, PLVC 218, and hence PLA connection status signal 228 can include an identifier so that the user knows exactly which PLA 114 is either in an error condition, or not connected properly, or inoperative for some reason (e.g., ethernet cable 106 can be improperly wired, or damaged). In this manner a user can be assured that ADS 100 is properly connected and no mis-wirings exist.
According to further aspects of the embodiments, the comparator-based implementation of PLVC 218 can instead be implemented using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). That is, Comp1 and Comp2 can instead be replaced with an ADC (not shown) that can digitize the voltage values and transmit them to verification circuit digital interface 304, wherein logic can be used to generate PLA connection status signal 228. According to further aspects of the embodiments, resistor R302 can be replaced with a short. According to further aspects of the embodiments, different values of R302 can be used to differentiate different types of passive speakers (e.g., different makes, models, speaker impedances, etc.); once decoded by PLVC 218, this information can be used to inform the user and/or to automatically adjust DSP 212 tuning parameters to optimize audio performance. According to further aspects of the embodiments, any combination of these potential implementations maintains the ability to ensure positive identification of a valid PLA 114, the presence of a valid PLA 114, and/or a bad or missing ethernet cable 106 between ALA 112 and PLA 114.
According to further aspects of the embodiments, PLA connection status signal 228 can be used by controller 210 to evenly distribute power among the different loudspeakers 216 that might be part of a “branch” of ALA 112 and one or more PLAs 114. That is, if there is one ALA 112 and one PLA 114, controller 210 verifies that a correctly connected PLA 114 is connected to the ALA 112, and can adjust the power available from PoE extractor circuit 206 by splitting the power available from PoE extractor circuit 206 to Amp 214a (for loudspeaker 216a connected to ALA 112), and Amp 214b located in ALA 112, but which goes to PLA 114 and its loudspeaker 216b. The power can be split by either sending commands to DSP 212 or to Amps 214a,b to control their output. In this manner, the power is split evenly (e.g., about 50% to each of ALA 112 and PLA 114), or can be split in any manner desired between the ALA 112 loudspeaker 216a and PLA 114 and its loudspeaker 216b. If, for some reason, PLA 114 is not properly connected, or a break in ethernet cable 106 that connects them occurs, PLA connection status signal 228 indicates that no PLA 114 is properly connected and controller 210 can respond as appropriate; commit 100% of the power available to the existing loudspeaker 216a, or some other lesser amount.
According to further aspects of the embodiments, audio signals received via network system 104 can be encrypted using proprietary encryption methods, which can then be de-crypted by ACS App 128 in ASC 110. If an unsecured device is detected in ADS 100, ACS App 128 can convert or ask all devices in ADS 100 to use unencrypted communications, such as AES-67. AES67 is a technical standard for audio over IP and audio over Ethernet (AoE) interoperability. The standard was developed by the Audio Engineering Society and first published in September 2013. It is a layer 3 protocol suite based on existing standards and is designed to allow interoperability between various IP-based audio networking systems. AES67 defines requirements for synchronizing clocks, setting QoS priorities for media traffic, and initiating media streams with standard protocols from the Internet protocol suite. AES67 also defines audio sample format and sample rate, supported number of channels, as well as IP data packet size and latency/buffering requirements.
According to further aspects of the embodiments, ASC 110 can disable the analog inputs of Amps 214 through controller control/data/digital signals 224 issued by ALA controller 210 and/or ASC 110. Disabling the analog inputs to Amp 214 can minimize noise output by unused Amps 214.
According to further aspects of the embodiments, multiple status indicators can be implemented through the use of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 306, which digitizes VStatus signal into VStatus(D) 308. ADC 306 can be an n-bit ADC, and as those of skill in the art can appreciate, can output the digitized data in either a serial or parallel stream of bits. VStatus(D) 308 can be a separate data signal, as shown in
ADC 306 digitizes the voltage status signal, which is the voltage drop across resistor R302; by changing the value of resistor R302, not only can correct interconnection be verified (as described above), but different information can be “encoded” into the value of resistor R302. Optional differential amplifier 310 is shown in
VStatus is checked against an upper bound and lower bound of voltage measurements, VUB and VLB, respectively, by comparators Comp1 and Comp2 (also part of PLVC 218). Within the range determined by VUB−VLB, different VStatus(D) 308 voltages (as determined by R302, R1-5, and VDD) can provide several facets of information, or “determinations,” as shown in Table I below to the user of ADS 100 and ACS App 128. The determinations include: (I) Determining the number of connected loudspeakers; (II) Determining loudspeaker impedances; and (III) Determining loudspeaker maximum power handling capabilities. Based on these determinations, ACS App 128 and/or a user of ADS 100 can then operate ADS 100 in one of three power allocation modes: (A) Power Handling; (B) Intelligent Power Allocation/Steering; and (C) Direct Assignment.
According to aspects of the embodiments, encoding and determining loudspeaker impedances can be used to factor-in information about the total available power. From a practical perspective, input power information would take the form of PoE Class identification (e.g., Class 2=3.84 W, Class 3=12.95 W, Class 6=62 W, among others).
As described herein, ALAs 112 are powered by PoE utilizing commonly available circuitry. The maximum input power available to ALA 112, which can be referred to as a “PoE-PD” device, will depend on the upstream equipment, e.g., ASC 110, which can be referred to as a PoE-PSE device. For example, if the upstream equipment (ASC 110) contains an “IEEE 802.3at Type 1” PSE device, then ALA 112 can use up-to (but not exceeding) 13 W. If the upstream equipment contains an “IEEE 802.3at Type 2” PSE device, then ALA 112 can use up to (but not exceeding) 25 W. If the upstream equipment contains an “IEEE 802.3at Type 3” PSE device, then ALA 112 can use up to (but not exceeding) 51 W. As those of skill in the art can appreciate, PoE extractor circuit 206, found in ALA 112, outputs PoE Type Signal 230 to ALA controller 210 that indicates the “type” of PoE that was negotiated with the PSE (i.e., how much power it is allowed to consume). ALA controller 210 can use that information to define the maximum power available for its own loudspeakers and for each of the downstream PLAs 114. Furthermore, knowing the total available power, the number of connected loudspeakers and the impedance of attached loudspeakers in PLAs 114, the device can intelligently and dynamically allocate the power. Allocation schemes can be designed to result in substantially equal acoustic power for all loudspeakers, substantially equal electrical power, or intentionally skewed. A user can either program ALA 112, or it can be set to run in a default mode pre-determined by the DSP.
As those of skill in the art can appreciate, loudspeakers are manufactured with a wide array of impedances (e.g., 4Ω, 6Ω, 8Ω, 16Ω). The impedance of a loudspeaker has a significant impact on the power consumed by the audio system. For any given amplifier driving voltage, a lower impedance loudspeaker will consume more power; this relationship is substantially linear, meaning that a 4Ω loudspeaker will consume four times the power of a 16Ω loudspeaker. To fully utilize all available input power, output levels of the amplifier must be fine-tuned to compensate for the impedances of the loudspeakers connected to the amplifier outputs. This is particularly important in power-constrained applications, such as a PoE-based amplifier.
If an amplifier is designed to deliver a certain amount of power (e.g., 10 watts (or 10 W)) to an 8Ω loudspeaker, and a 4Ω loudspeaker is wired to the amplifier instead, then the amplifier will draw excessive power from the upstream PoE-PSE. The upstream PoE-PSE will observe the excessive power and enforce the IEEE 802.3 limits, cutting power to the ALA. Thus, knowing the impedance of a connected PLA 114 is important to preserve the integrity of ADS 100 and its operation.
The following paragraphs discuss the three determinations enabled by use of VStatus(D) 308.
(I) Determination of Number of Connected Loudspeakers. Each amplifier output has an associated PLA connection circuit (218). If VStatus falls within the VUB and VLB limits, the associated digital signal is generated, indicating the presence of a valid loudspeaker connection. By counting the number of valid connections, the ALA can establish the total number of loudspeakers in that particular installation.
(II) Determination of Loudspeaker Impedances. According to aspects of the embodiments, resistor R302 can be used to encode loudspeaker impedances. As described above, VStatus can be digitized by ADC 306 into VStatus(D) 308, and in-turn, mapped onto an associated impedance. By way of non-limiting example, a 4Ω loudspeaker 216 in PLA 114 can be defined as VStatus(D) 308 being equal to 2.2 VDC, a 6Ω loudspeaker 216 can be defined as VStatus(D) 308 being equal to about 2.4 VDC, an 8Ω loudspeaker 216 can be defined as VStatus(D) 308 being equal to about 2.6 VDC, and a 16Ω loudspeaker 216 can be defined as VStatus(D) 308 being equal to about 2.8 VDC.
(III) Determination of Loudspeaker Maximum Power Handling. According to further aspects of the embodiments, additional information concerning each of the loudspeakers 216 in PLAs 114 can be encoded into the digitized status voltage VStatus(D) 308. Such information can include power ratings for the respective loudspeakers in the particular PLA 114. As those of skill in the art can appreciate, a 4Ω loudspeaker can be rated to safely handle 10 W, 25 W, 50 W, or even 100 W. Such power ratings can be incorporated into the resistor R302—i.e., using a precision resistor of a predetermined value—to yield different VStatus(D) 308 voltages to indicate not only the nominal impedance, but also the power rating. Table I below illustrates a non-limiting example of how such information can be encoded into VStatus(D) 308:
As can be seen in Table I, a 4Ω loudspeaker 216 that is part of PLA 113, and which has a 25 W power rating can be ascertained by determining that VStatus(D) 308 is about 2.225 VDC.
As discussed above, the determinations based on VStatus(D) 308 can be used to select a power allocation mode for ADS 100, i.e., how power is to be distributed to each loudspeaker 216 in ALAs 112 and PLAs 114.
The first power allocation mode to be addressed is “power handling.” The power handling mode of power allocation can be defined as maximizing the amount of power sent to each loudspeaker based on the loudspeakers determined maximum power rating. In the power handling mode of power allocation, ACS App 128 allocates power to each loudspeaker beginning with the lowest maximum rated power loudspeaker, and then allocating remaining power to those loudspeakers with higher maximum power ratings. Thus, each loudspeaker in an ALA-PLA set is provided with no more than its maximum rated power.
By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and a total of 3 loudspeakers 216a,b,c. Loudspeakers 216a,b are in PLA 114, and each are capable of handling 5 W each (10 W total for PLA 114), and there is one loudspeaker 216c in ALA 112, capable of handling 25 W. In the power handling mode, 10 W could be sent to PLA 114 to be split between loudspeakers 216a,b, and 15 W can be sent to loudspeaker 216c in ALA 112.
The second power allocation mode to be addressed is “intelligent power allocation/steering.” The intelligent power allocation/steering mode of operation can be defined as allocating power substantially equally between all the loudspeakers in an ALA-PLA set (up to each loudspeaker's maximum power rating.
By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and a total of 3 loudspeakers 216a,b,c. Loudspeaker 216a is in ALA 112, and capable of handling 25 W. Loudspeakers 216b,c are in PLA 114, and each are capable of handling 10 W each (20 W total for PLA 114). All loudspeakers have an impedance of 8Ω. In the intelligent power allocation/steering mode, each loudspeaker 216a,b,c would receive about 8.3 W each (25 W/3=8.3 W).
In the intelligent power allocation/steering mode of operation, according to aspects of the embodiments, the audio stream can be tailored to result in substantially equal power being delivered to different PLAs 114, based on the total number of loudspeakers 216, their impedances, and power ratings. In this manner, ACS App 128 can maximize volume/sound level for any given installation configuration.
By way of a non-limiting example, suppose there are 25 W available and a total of 2 loudspeakers 216a,b. In this case, the speakers have dissimilar impedances. Loudspeaker 216a is in ALA 112 and has an impedance of 8Ω. Loudspeaker 216b is in PLA 114 and has an impedance of 4Ω. The goal of the intelligent power allocation/steering mode is to deliver equal power to the two dissimilar loudspeakers-in this case 12.5 W each (25 W/2=12.5 W). Given that the impedances are dissimilar, the Class-D amplifier will need to drive them with different voltages to achieve equal power output. The equation that defines this relationship is:
V
Class-D(output)=√(PloudspeakerRloudspeaker-imp)
As a result, the Class-D amplifiers maximum output voltages would be automatically scaled/constrained to 10V and 7.07V, respectively. In practice, intelligent power allocation/steering can also be achieved by having ACS App 128 and DSP 212 implement a limiter to constrain the maximum volume of any given loudspeaker 216.
The third power allocation mode to be addressed is “direct assignment.” Power can also be intentionally distributed substantially evenly or unevenly through a process referred to as “direct assignment.” According to aspects of the embodiments, determining that one or more PLAs 114 are properly connected, and then determining loudspeaker impedances and power ratings using the encoding process described above allows ACS App 128 to allocate power unevenly between ALA 112 and n-number of similar or dissimilar PLAs 114 (e.g., three 8Ω PLAs 114, or two 8Ω PLAs 114 and one 12Ω PLAs 114). According to aspects of the embodiments, therefor, the audio stream can be tailored to result in different amounts of power being delivered to different PLAs 114 based on their impedances and power ratings. In this manner, ACS App 128 can maximize the power sent to each loudspeaker 216 in respective PLAs 114 and substantially minimize the possibility of over-driving loudspeakers, thereby preventing damage and extending their lifetime.
In practice, uneven steering can be achieved by having ACS App 128 and DSP 212 implement a limiter to constrain the maximum power of any given speaker. Furthermore, as with intelligent power allocation/steering, not quite all available power can be sent to loudspeakers 216, as ALA 112 comprises processors and converters, which, due to finite efficiency, consume some power themselves. As a result, the actual power delivered to the loudspeakers 216, wherever they are located, will be somewhat less the total input power received.
In method step 406, a user opens ACS App 128 to begin the installation verification and system set up process. IP addresses of each of the ALAs 112 and PLAs are either found or entered into App 128, and in method step 408, the user, through ACS App 128, begins the interconnection verification process, as well as the ALA 112 and PLA 114 identification process. In the former, the interconnection verification process, ACS App 128 queries each ALA 112 to determine if one or more properly connected PLAs 114 are connected to it. ACS App 128 sends a request to each ALA 112 to report back whether there are any valid PLA connection status signals 228; the user can then check that against the specification used to install ADS 100 to verify all, some, or none of the expected PLAs 114 have been properly connected. By way of a non-limiting example, if there are ten ALAs 112a-j, and each has two PLAs 114 connected to them, but ALA 112h is reporting only one PLA 114, then the installers know that one ethernet cable 106 has been installed to the wrong device or omitted altogether.
In method step 408, method 400 can also determine, for each ALA 114 that is properly connected, the impedance and maximum power rating for each loudspeaker 216 that comprises PLA 114, as discussed above in regard to Table I.
As described above, ACS 128 can not only determine the impedances of each loudspeaker in each correctly attached PLA 114, but also, through use of the digitized status signal VStatus(D) 308 (as shown in Table I), the power rating for each loudspeaker 216. The determination of the number of loudspeakers, their respective impedances, and respective power ratings, allows ACS 128 and the user(s) to determine a power mode, which was described above, and below in regard to
In method step 410 (which is optional), ACS App 128 generates a map illustrating the location of each ALA 112 and/or PLA 114, which also includes the IP addresses of each ALA 112 and PLA 114, and other notes, as necessary. At this point, set up of ADS 100 can be considered complete. Method 500, discussed below, describes additional steps for testing and setting up an operation mode.
Following successful verification of an installation (i.e., completion of Method 400), ADS 100 is ready to be used as described in regard to Method 500, discussed below.
Then, in method step 508, the user of ACS App 128 can select which ones of the connected ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 to identify, or, alternatively, can require ACS App 128 to identify all of the interconnected ALAs 112 and PLAs 114. As described above, each ALA 112 and PLA 114 can have a unique visual identifier and a unique aural identifier. By way of further example, an aural identifier can include a voice generated by artificial intelligence algorithms that “speaks” the IP address and/or location and/or some other description of the ALA 112 or PLA 114 according to aspects of the embodiments. In decision step 510, method 500 and ACS App 128 determines whether the user is finished with testing. If the user is not finished with testing (“No” path from decision step 510), method 500 returns to method step 506, and if the user is finished with testing (“Yes” path from decision step 510), then method 500 returns to method decision step 504, wherein the user can, if desired, select “Operations.”
After the user selects “Operations” in method step 504, ACS App 128, and method 500 proceed to step 512, in which the user selects one or more ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 to activate or program. In method step 514, the user selects an audio source for the selected ALA 112 and/or PLA 114; According to aspects of the embodiments, such audio sources can be selected from a list of audio sources that ACS App 128 finds upon loading or opening, or the user can search for and select the audio sources. According to further aspects of the embodiments, ACS App 128 lists one or more different external music sources such as Spotify®, iTunes®, and the like, as well as input ports that might be connected to external audio sources such as a microphone or compact disc player, or radio, and the like.
According to aspects of the embodiments, there can be more than one audio source for one ADS 100, with different audio sources for different ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114. For example, a microphone can be used for ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 that are centered over where people tend to congregate, and for other ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 music can be playing even if others are broadcasting voice.
In method step 516, the user selects an operating mode for each ALA 112 and/or PLA 14: intelligent power allocation/steering, power handling, or direct assignment. According to aspects of the embodiments, the selection of the three modes can be the same for each ALA/PLA set, or can be individually assigned through use of ACS App 128. In the latter case, if there were four ALA/PLA sets, each could be assigned a different power operating mode, two could be the same and the other two different, and other combinations.
Following method step 516, method 500 proceeds to decision step 518. In decision step 518, method 500 asks the user whether any other ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 need to be programmed. If no more loudspeaker assemblies (LSAs) need to be programmed (“No” path from decision step 518), then method 500 returns to method step 504 and awaits further input. If more LSAs need to be programmed (“Yes” path from decision step 518), then method 500 returns to method step 512.
Internal memory 632 itself can comprise hard disk drive (HDD) 616 (these can include conventional magnetic storage media, but, as is becoming increasingly more prevalent, can include flash drive memory 634, among other types), read-only memory (ROM) 618 (these can include electrically erasable (EE) programmable ROM (EEPROMs), ultra-violet erasable PROMs (UVPROMs), among other types), and random access memory (RAM) 620. Usable with USB port 610 is flash drive memory 634, and usable with CD/DVD/RW drive 612 are CD/DVD disks 636 (which can be both read and write-able). Usable with floppy diskette drive 614 are floppy diskettes 638. External memory storage 624 can be used to store data and programs external to box 601 of controller 110/210, and can itself comprise another hard disk drive 616a, flash drive memory 634, among other types of memory storage. External memory storage 624 is connectable to controller 110/210 via USB cable 656. Each of the memory storage devices, or the memory storage media (606, 616, 618, 620, 624, 634, 636, and 638, among others), can contain parts or components, or in its entirety, executable software programming code or application (application, or “App”) ACS App 128, which can implement part or all of the portions of methods 500, 600 described herein.
In addition to the above described components, controller 110/210 also comprises keyboard 628, external display 626, printer/scanner/fax machine 660, and mouse 630 (although not technically part of controller 110/210, the peripheral components as shown in
External display 626 can be any type of known display or presentation screen, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode displays (LEDs), plasma displays, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), among others. In addition to the user interface mechanism such as mouse 630, controller 110/210 can further include a microphone, touch pad, joystick, touch screen, voice-recognition system, among other inter-active inter-communicative devices/programs, which can be used to enter data and voice, and which all of are known to those of skill in the art and thus a detailed discussion thereof has been omitted in fulfillment of the dual purposes of clarity and brevity.
As mentioned above, controller 110/210 further comprises a plurality of wireless transceiver devices, such as Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, satellite transceiver device 650, and antenna 652. While each of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, and satellite transceiver device 650 has their own specialized functions, each can also be used for other types of communications, such as accessing a cellular service provider (not shown), accessing internet 654, texting, emailing, among other types of communications and data/voice transfers/exchanges, as known to those of skill in the art. Each of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, satellite transceiver device 650 includes a transmitting and receiving device, and a specialized antenna, although in some instances, one antenna can be shared by one or more of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, and satellite transceiver device 650. Alternatively, one or more of Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, and satellite transceiver device 650 will have a specialized antenna, such as satellite transceiver device 650 to which is electrically connected at least one antenna 652.
In addition, controller 110/210 can access network system/internet 104, either through a hard wired connection such as Ethernet port N11 as described above, or wirelessly via Wi-Fi transceiver 642, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648 and/or satellite transceiver 650 (and their respective antennas) according to an embodiment. controller 110/210 can also be part of a larger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN) (e.g., internet 104), which ultimately allows connection to various landlines.
According to further embodiments, integrated touch screen display 602, keyboard 628, mouse 630, and external display 626 (if in the form of a touch screen), can provide a means for a user to enter commands, data, digital, and analog information into controller 110/210. Integrated and external displays 602, 626 can be used to show visual representations of acquired data, and the status of applications that can be running, among other things.
Bus 604 provides a data/command pathway for items such as: the transfer and storage of data/commands between processor 608, Wi-Fi transceiver 642, BT transceiver 644, NFC transceiver 646, 3G/4G/5G/6G LTE transceiver 648, satellite transceiver device 650, integrated display 602, USB port 610, Ethernet port 611, VGA/HDMI port 622, CD/DVD/RW drive 612, floppy diskette drive 614, and internal memory 632. Through bus 604, data can be accessed that is stored in internal memory 632. Processor 608 can send information for visual display to either or both of integrated and external displays 602, 626, and the user can send commands to system operating programs, software, and ACS App 128 that can reside in processor internal memory 606 of processor 608, or any of the other memory devices (636, 638, 616, 618, and 620).
Controller 110/210, and either processor internal memory 606 or internal memory 632, can be used to implement methods 500, 600 for setting up and operating ADS 100 according to aspects of the embodiments. Hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof may be used to perform the various steps and operations described herein. According to an embodiment, ACS App 128 for carrying out the above discussed steps can be stored and distributed on multi-media storage devices such as devices 616, 618, 620, 634, 636 and/or 638 (described above) or other form of media capable of portably storing information. Storage media 634, 636 and/or 638 can be inserted into, and read by devices such as USB port 610, CD/DVD/RW drive 612, and disk drives 614, respectively.
As also will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the various functional aspects of the embodiments may be embodied in a wireless communication device, a telecommunication network, or as a method or in a computer program product. Accordingly, the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment or an embodiment combining hardware and software aspects. Further, the embodiments may take the form of a computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable instructions embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer-readable medium may be utilized, including hard disks, CD-ROMs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), optical storage devices, or magnetic storage devices such a floppy disk or magnetic tape. Other non-limiting examples of computer-readable media include flash-type memories or other known types of memories.
Further, those of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the embodiments can appreciate that such functionality can be designed into various types of circuitry, including, but not limited to field programmable gate array structures (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuitry (ASICs), microprocessor based systems, among other types. A detailed discussion of the various types of physical circuit implementations does not substantively aid in an understanding of the embodiments, and as such has been omitted for the dual purposes of brevity and clarity. However, as well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, the systems and methods discussed herein can be implemented as discussed, and can further include programmable devices.
Such programmable devices and/or other types of circuitry as previously discussed can include a processing unit, a system memory, and a system bus that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit. The system bus can be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. Furthermore, various types of computer readable media can be used to store programmable instructions. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by the processing unit. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media can comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile as well as removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information, and which can be accessed by the processing unit. Communication media can embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and can include any suitable information delivery media.
The system memory can include computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM). A basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements connected to and between the processor, such as during start-up, can be stored in memory. The memory can also contain data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by the processing unit. By way of non-limiting example, the memory can also include an operating system, application programs, other program modules, and program data.
The processor can also include other removable/non-removable and volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. For example, the processor can access a hard disk drive that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk drive that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk, such as a CD-ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM and the like. A hard disk drive can be connected to the system bus through a non-removable memory interface such as an interface, and a magnetic disk drive or optical disk drive can be connected to the system bus by a removable memory interface, such as an interface.
The embodiments discussed herein can also be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium can include a computer-readable recording medium and a computer-readable transmission medium. The computer-readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs and generally optical data storage devices, magnetic tapes, flash drives, and floppy disks. The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The computer-readable transmission medium can transmit carrier waves or signals (e.g., wired, or wireless data transmission through the Internet). Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments to, when implemented in suitable electronic hardware, accomplish or support exercising certain elements of the appended claims can be readily construed by programmers skilled in the art to which the embodiments pertains.
Much of the infrastructure of network system 104 shown in
According to aspects of the embodiments, a user of the above described system and method can store ACS App 128 on their ASC 110 and PC 120, as well as on MED 118. MEDs 118 can include, but are not limited to, so-called smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants, notebook, and laptop computers, and essentially any device that can access the internet and/or cellular phone service or can facilitate transfer of the same type of data in either a wired or wireless manner.
MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can access cellular service provider 714, either through a wireless connection (cellular tower 720) or via a wireless/wired interconnection (a “Wi-Fi” system that comprises, e.g., modulator/demodulator (modem) 708, wireless router 710, internet service provider (ISP) 706, and internet 1822). Further, MED 118 can include near field communication (NFC), “Wi-Fi,” and Bluetooth (BT) communications capabilities as well, all of which are known to those of skill in the art. To that end, network system 104 further includes, as many businesses (and homes) do, one or more PCs 120 (as well as ASC 110) that can be connected to wireless router 710 via a wired connection (e.g., modem 708) or via a wireless connection (e.g., Bluetooth). Modem 708 can be connected to ISP 706 to provide internet-based communications in the appropriate format to end users (e.g., MED 118, ASC 110, PC 120), and which takes signals from the end users and forwards them to ISP 706. Such communication pathways are well known and understand by those of skill in the art, and a further detailed discussion thereof is therefore unnecessary.
MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can also access global positioning system (GPS) satellite 728, which is controlled by GPS station 724, to obtain positioning information (which can be useful for different aspects of the embodiments), or MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can obtain positioning information via cellular service provider 714 using cellular tower(s) 720 according to one or more methods of position determination. Some MED 118, ASC 110, and PC 120 can also access communication satellites 718 and their respective satellite communication systems control stations 726 (the satellite in
According to further aspects of the embodiments, and as described above, network system 104 interfaces with network server 108 that can include ACS App 128, wherein one or more processors, using known and understood technology, such as memory, data and instruction buses, and other electronic devices, can store and implement code that can implement the system and method for setting up and operating ADS 100 according to aspects of the embodiments.
GUIs are a human-computer interface (i.e., a way for humans to interact with computers) in the form of window, icons, menus, and buttons that can be manipulated by inactive pointer 812 associated with use of mouse 630 (and often to a limited extent by keyboard 628 as well). GUIs stand in sharp contrast to command line interfaces (CLIs), which use only text and are accessed solely by a keyboard. The most familiar example of a CLI to many people is MS-DOS, or some modes of Linux.
As those of skill in the art can windows are contained portions of a screen 802 that can display its contents (e.g., a program, icons, a text file, or an image) seemingly independently of the rest of the screen 802. Icons can also be a GUI. A significant feature of GUIs is the ability for multiple windows to be open simultaneously. Each window can display a different application/program, or each can display different files (e.g., text, image(s), or other types of files/documents) that have been opened or created with a single application.
An icon is a small picture or symbol in a GUI that represents a program (or command), a file, a directory, or a device (such as a hard disk or floppy). Icons can be used both on a desktop and within application programs. Those of skill in the art are familiar with the term “desktop” which represents screen 802 when either no other programs are open, or open programs have been minimized or less than full screen.
Commands are issued in a GUI by using a mouse, trackball, or touchpad to first move inactive pointer 812 on screen 802 to, or on top of, an icon, menu item, or window of interest in order to select that object. Then, for example, icons and windows can be moved by dragging (moving the mouse with the held down) and objects or programs can be opened by clicking on their icons. In addition, GUIs can include fields for entering data, and buttons for saving the entered data.
As those of skill in the art can appreciate, there are several advantages to the use of GUIs. One substantive advantage of the use of GUIs is that they make computer operation more intuitive, and thus easier to learn and use. For example, it is much easier for a new user to move a file from one directory to another by dragging its icon with the mouse than by having to remember and type seemingly arcane commands to accomplish the same task.
Adding to this intuitiveness of operation is the fact that GUIs generally provide users with immediate, visual feedback about the effect of each action. For example, when a user deletes an icon representing a file, the icon immediately disappears, confirming that the file has been deleted (or at least sent to a “trash can”). This contrasts with the situation for a CLI, in which the user types a delete command (inclusive of the name of the file to be deleted) but receives no automatic feedback indicating that the file has actually been removed.
In addition, GUIs allow users to take full advantage of the powerful multitasking (the ability for multiple programs and/or multiple instances of single programs to run simultaneously) capabilities of modem operating systems by allowing such multiple programs and/or instances to be displayed simultaneously. The result is a large increase in the flexibility of computer use and a consequent rise in user productivity.
However, as those of the skill in the art can further appreciate, GUIs have become much more than a mere convenience. GUIs have also become the standard in human-computer interaction, and it has influenced the work of a generation of computer users. Moreover, it has led to the development of new types of applications and entire new industries. An example is desktop publishing, which has revolutionized (and partly wiped out) the traditional printing and typesetting industry.
Despite the great convenience of GUIs however, system administrators and other advanced users tend to prefer the CLI for many operations because it is frequently more convenient and generally more powerful. On Unix-like operating systems for example, GUIs are actually just attractive, convenient coverings for command line programs (i.e., programs which operate from a CLI), and they rely on them for their operation.
One of the great attractions of Unix-like operating systems is that they have maintained their CLI capabilities while continuing to improve their GUIs, thereby allowing advanced users to harness the full power of the computer while simultaneously making it easier for beginning and intermediate users. In contrast, the newer versions of Microsoft Windows have downgraded their CLIs to a marginal role, at best.
Clicking on “Save” button 906 in
As described above, aspects of the embodiments can verify whether a PLA 114 is properly connected to an ALA 112 or whether some other device that is not a PLA 114 is connected to the respective ALA 112, as well as determining the impedance and maximum power ratings of loudspeakers in a properly connected PLA 114. If there are misconnections of any manner, whether it is an improper device or broken/bad ethernet cable 106, such information is shown in “Error Reports” field 912 according to aspects of the embodiments. According to further aspects of the embodiments, when an ALA 112 is found to be connected to ASC 110, and its IP address obtained, a serial/model number can also be obtained, and configuration information for ALA 112 can be determined by ACS App 128 according to aspects of the embodiments. Such configuration information can include output power, how many ALAs 114 can be connected to the respective PLA, among other types of information.
For example, a first ALA 112 #1 can be connected to ASC 110. Once Find GUI 806 was clicked on, it could be determined that ALA 112 #1 was a 50 dB amplifier with four outputs for connection to four different PLAs. PLAs 114 #1 and #2 could be found to be properly connected, but a third connection was made to a different type of device, and the fourth cable was broken. Thus, “Error Reports” field 912 could show two “problem” or improper connections, and “Display ALA-PLA Names/Addresses” field 910 would show the two properly connected PLAs 114 #1 and #2 connected to the ALA 112. Once all of the ALAs 112 and PLAs 114 (if any) have been identified, the user can click on the “Save” button to save the configuration in memory 126 of ASC 110.
A user can also assign a name to the audio system in “Name of Audio System” field 902 and save it via “Save” button 906. Once saved, the user can change the name if desired through use of “Edit” button 908. Any time one or more ALAs 112 and/or PLAs 114 are swapped out, the Find GUI 806 can be clicked on and find functions run again to update the configuration of the audio system.
Following execution of any of the aural and/or visual tests, the user can save the test results by clicking “Save” button 906, and then return to the “Main Menu” window 800 by clicking “Return to Main Menu” button 914.
Once at “Run Audio System” window 1100 on screen 802, as shown in
If the user selects “Intelligent Power Allocation/Steering” button 1104a, the selected ALA-PLA set will operate under an intelligent power allocation/steering mode of operation (once the operating mode is saved). The user can (optionally) select a DSP program from a pull-down list in “DSP Programs” field 1106 to use to process the audio from the selected audio source, or a default DSP program can be used, or the last DSP program selected can be used to process the selected audio.
If the user clicks on “Power Handling” button 1104b, the selected ALA-PLA set will operate under a power handling mode of operation. If the user clicks on “Direct Assignment” button 1104c, the selected ALA-PLA set will operate under a direct assignment of power mode of operation.
Following selection of the DSP program, the user can then save the settings for the selected ALA-PLA by clicking on “Save” button 906. Following selection and set-up of any of the ALA-PLA sets, the user can return to the “Main Menu” window 800 by clicking “Return to Main Menu” button 914.
According to aspects of the embodiments, each of the power operating modes has their own pull down list of DSP programs, as there may be constraints in DSP operations that are dependent on the power operating paradigms, though that need not necessarily be the case.
If the user selects “Power Operating Mode Selection” button 1104c, the “Direct Assignment” mode of operation, the settings will not be saved until the user clicks on “Set Up Power Level” button 1110, which takes the user to “Direct Assignment Power Operating Mode Setup” window 1200, as shown in
Thus, by way of a non-limiting example, if there were 25 W available and 4 loudspeakers—each rated at 8 W maximum power each, and no loudspeakers had yet to be set up, then 25 W would be shown to be available. Further if the user allotted the maximum to each loudspeaker in turn, “Total Power Remaining in ALA-PLA Set” window 1206 would show 25 W available, then 17 W available, then 9 W available, then 1 W available. The last loudspeaker would only be able to get 1 W.
If the user clicks on the “Generate Map? button 904 in “Find” window 900, as shown in
This application may contain material that is subject to copyright, mask work, and/or other intellectual property protection. The respective owners of such intellectual property have no objection to the facsimile reproduction of the disclosure by anyone as it appears in published Patent Office file/records, but otherwise reserve all rights.
The disclosed embodiments provide systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in in an audio distribution system. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the embodiments. On the contrary, the embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed embodiments. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.
Although the features and elements of aspects of the embodiments are described being in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone, without the other features and elements of the embodiments, or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.
This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
The above-described embodiments are intended to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive, of the embodiments. Thus, the embodiments are capable of many variations in detailed implementation that can be derived from the description contained herein by a person skilled in the art. No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the embodiments unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items.
All United States patents and applications, foreign patents, and publications discussed above are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
To solve the aforementioned problems, the aspects of the embodiments are directed towards systems, methods, and modes for verifying connection between an active loudspeaker assembly and a passive loudspeaker assembly in an audio distribution system.
Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the different aspects of the embodiments.
Related subject matter is disclosed in co-pending U.S. Non-provisional patent applications Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-00), Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-02), Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-03), Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-04). Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-05), and Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket number CP00544-06), each of which were filed Jul. ______, 2022, the entire contents of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
