IP Library › Patent Application 12020456
Patent Application
App. No. 12/020,456

WIRED, WIRELESS, INFRARED, AND POWERLINE AUDIO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/020,456
Abstract

A method and system for communicating audio signals between an input device and an output device via a network. The output device can include loudspeakers and headphones. In some embodiments an output device, for example a center channel speaker, transmits audio signals to other output devices. In some embodiments, the output device is coupled to, or combined with, a speaker stand or speaker bracket. The network can be wireless, wired, infrared, RF, and powerline.

Claims (70)

1 . An apparatus for transmitting an audio signal via a network, the apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a transmitter module located in the housing and configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal, combine the audio and control signals into a combined signal, and transmit the combined signal to a receiver module via a network;

a plug coupled to the housing and configured for insertion into an electrical receptacle;

a power supply in the housing, coupled to the plug and configured to distribute electrical energy to the transmitter module; and

an input wire configured to couple the housing to an input device.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the housing further incorporates an address switch configured for selecting an address from a plurality of addresses, the selected address being associated with the receiver module and uniquely identifying the receiver module within the network.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the housing further incorporates a power switch configured to select an off state or on state for the transmitter module.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the housing further incorporates a light emitting diode power indicator configured to emit light when the power supply is providing electrical energy to the transmitter module.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the housing further incorporates a light emitting diode transmitter indicator configured to emit light when the transmitter module is transmitting the combined signal.

6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is wired.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is a powerline.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is wireless.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the network is RF.

10 . The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the network is IR.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is analog.

12 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is digital.

13 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is digital.

14 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a volume level.

15 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a balance level.

16 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a fader level.

17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.

18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a destination source.

19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.

20 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.

21 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is an address.

22 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a power on.

23 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a power off.

24 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a time delay.

25 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a phase delay.

26 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter module is configured to power on in response to receiving the audio signal.

27 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter module is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal.

28 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is in an I 2 C format.

29 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (I 2 S) format.

30 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input device is a CD player.

31 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input device is an AM/FM tuner.

32 . An apparatus for transmitting an audio signal via a network, the apparatus comprising:

a first housing comprising,

a transmitter module configured to receive an audio signal and a control signal, combine the audio and control signals into a combined signal, and transmit the combined signal to a receiver module via a network;

a second housing comprising,

a plug configured for insertion into an electrical receptacle, and

a power supply coupled to the plug and configured to distribute electrical energy to the transmitter module;

a wire coupled between the first housing and the second housing; and

an input wire configured to couple the first housing to an input device.

33 . The apparatus of claim 32 , further comprising an address switch configured for selecting an address from a plurality of addresses, the selected address being associated with the receiver module and uniquely identifying the receiver module within the network.

34 . The apparatus of claim 33 , further comprising a power switch configured to select an off state or on state for the transmitter module.

35 . The apparatus of claim 34 , further comprising a light emitting diode power indicator configured to emit light when the power supply is providing electrical energy to the transmitter module.

36 . The apparatus of claim 35 , further comprising a light emitting diode transmitter indicator configured to emit light when the transmitter module is transmitting the combined signal.

37 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the network is wired.

38 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the network is a powerline.

39 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the network is wireless.

40 . The apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the network is RF.

41 . The apparatus of claim 39 , wherein the network is IR.

42 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is analog.

43 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the audio signal is digital.

44 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is digital.

45 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a volume level.

46 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a balance level.

47 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a fader level.

48 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.

49 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a destination source.

50 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.

51 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.

52 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is an address.

53 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a power on.

54 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is a phase delay.

55 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the transmitter module is configured to power on in response to receiving the audio signal.

56 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the transmitter module is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal.

57 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the control signal is in an I 2 C format.

58 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (I 2 S) format.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2015
From: KSC INDUSTRIES, INC.
To: OPUS BANK
Reel/Frame 035793/0924 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 3, 2012
From: MCCARTY, WILLIAM A.; RODRIGUEZ, YADIR
To: KSC INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 029101/0486 →