Wired, wireless, infrared, and powerline audio entertainment systems
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.
1. An apparatus configured to transmit an audio signal and a control signal associated with the audio signal via a network, the apparatus comprising:
an audio input module having a first receptacle and a second receptacle, both configured to attach to an input device;
an input selector module configured to select the first receptacle and the second receptacle;
a signal processing module configured to receive the audio signal associated with the selected receptacle and combine the audio signal with a control signal to form a combined signal, the control signal including a volume level extracted from only the audio signal; and
a network module configured to format and transmit the combined signal which includes the volume level via the network.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the combined signal includes an address signal which is associated with a loudspeaker.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is wired.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the network is a powerline.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the network is wireless.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the network is RF.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the network is IR.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing module is configured to convert the audio signal from an analog form to a digital form.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is analog.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is digital.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is digital.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a balance level.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a fader level.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a sub-bass level.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a destination source.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a sound processing selection.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is an equalizer level.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is an address.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a power on.
20. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a power off.
21. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a time delay.
22. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is a phase delay.
23. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input selector module is configured to power on in response to receiving the audio signal.
24. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the input selector module is configured to power off in response to not receiving the audio signal for a period of time.
25. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control signal is in an I 2 C format.
26. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the audio signal is in an inter IC sound (I 2 S) format.