US 12,284,497 B2
System and method for controlling the distribution of power between active loudspeaker assemblies and passive loudspeaker assemblies in an audio distribution system
Neil Hildick-Smith, New York, NY (US); Ekin Binal, Brooklyn, NY (US); and Mark W. Hrozenchik, Norwalk, CT (US)
Assigned to Crestron Electronics, Inc.
Filed by Crestron Electronics, Inc., Rockleigh, NJ (US)
Filed on Aug. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/878,477.
Prior Publication US 2024/0040312 A1, Feb. 1, 2024
Int. Cl. H04R 3/12 (2006.01)
CPC H04R 3/12 (2013.01) 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An audio distribution system (ADS), comprising:
at least two loudspeaker assemblies, each of which are adapted to receive digitally encoded audio signals and other digital signals, each of the at least two loudspeaker assemblies having a unique digital address and each comprising at least one loudspeaker; 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:
generating an interconnection test signal by the interconnection verification circuit, wherein the interconnection test signal determines if the primary loudspeaker assembly is properly connected to the at least one secondary loudspeaker assembly;
generating a connected status signal if the interconnection test signal determines that the primary loudspeaker assembly is properly connected to the at least one secondary loudspeaker assembly;
receiving the connected status signal by the controller located in the primary loudspeaker assembly;
generating a first set of command signals by the controller to split power between the primary loudspeaker assembly and the at least one secondary loudspeaker assembly;
generating a not-connected status signal if the interconnection test signal determines that the primary loudspeaker assembly is not connected to the at least one secondary loudspeaker assembly;
receiving the not-connected status signal by the controller located in the primary loudspeaker assembly; and
generating a second set of command signals by the controller to direct power only to the primary loudspeaker assembly.