Description

CONTROLLER FOR PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to a controller for a public address system, and, more particularly, to a controller for a diversified digital public address system, which receives analog input from microphones or media via a multi-input/multi-output device, converts the analog input into a digital file, and can selectively perform individual broadcasting and group broadcasting via speakers having corresponding IP addresses. Background Art

[2] In general, a speaker is an audio device that converts electrical signals into vibrations using a vibration plate, generates compressional waves in the air, and thus reproduces sound waves. A management device for transmitting electrical signals is connected to such speakers via cables.

[3] The management device uses a method of connecting audio speaker cables, that is, dedicated lines, to the speakers and transmitting analog audio signals to the speakers. The management device amplifies a generated source sound via amplifiers (a preamplifier and a power amplifier) and transmits it to the speakers.

[4] That is, various source sounds are primarily controlled through the preamplifier, which is controllable using voltage, are converted into output capable of driving the speakers via the power amplifier for generating high power, and are then transmitted to the speakers.

[5] Meanwhile, a public address system is used in the case where a plurality of speakers, installed at remote locations in a school, a company, or the like, are desired to be controlled using a single management system. In the past, respective audio speaker cables were deployed from a main line to corresponding speakers.

[6] Therefore, the prior art public address system is problematic in that noise occurs, the installation cost thereof is high, the maintenance thereof is difficult, lines are complicated, and the mobility thereof is low. The prior art public address system is further problematic in that it is not easy for the management device to automatically control the speakers, installed at remote locations, individually or in groups, so that it is difficult to appropriately perform local disaster broadcasting in the event of an emergency.

[7] In order to overcome the problems, the applicant of the present application filed a patent application entitled "Network Audio Speaker System" using single UTP (CAT5) cable on November 30, 2004 (Korean Patent Application No. 2004-99212),

and was granted a patent on August 29, 2005 (Korean Patent No. 512473). Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[8] The present invention is intended to optimize and apply the network audio speaker system, that is, the patented invention held by the present applicant, for and to public address broadcasting, and an object of the present invention is to provide a controller for a diversified digital public address system, in which the controller for a public address system is configured to include multiple inputs and multiple outputs, and output channels are controlled in various ways, so that an individual broadcast, a group broadcast, a scheduled broadcast, and an emergency broadcast can be selectively provided. Technical Solution

[9] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a controller for a diversified digital public address system, the controller transmitting digital data, converted from the analog signals transmitted from source sound generation devices by controlling input and output channels, to corresponding speakers, the controller including:

[10] a plurality of media input channels connected to media generation devices and configured to receive media transmitted from the media generation devices;

[11] a plurality of audio signal input channels connected to microphones and configured to receive audio signals transmitted from the microphones; and

[12] a plurality of digital data output channels configured to output digital data, converted from the transmitted media and audio signals, to corresponding speakers;

[13] wherein the controller converts analog signals (the media and the audio signals), input from the media generation devices and the microphones, into digital data, assigns IP addresses to the digital data, and transmits the digital data to the speakers having corresponding Internet Protocol (IP) addresses via a network based on a type of broadcast selected from among individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, general broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting and emergency broadcasting, by controlling the digital data output channels according to priority using embedded software in conjunction with a management computer.

[14] The controller further includes a terminal for operating in conjunction with emergency detectors installed at remote locations, thereby automatically broadcasting a stored voice via the digital data output channels in an event of an emergency.

[15] Preferably, the controller further includes a plurality of stereo input channels that are connected to an external stereo device and receive audio signals transmitted from the stereo devices.

[16] The management computer and the speakers enable bidirectional broadcasting via a wired or wireless network, and a speaker having a specific IP address can coerce a speaker having another IP address into participating in broadcasting in conjunction with the management computer.

[17] Preferably, the controller further includes manipulation buttons for setting one or more functions that are selected from among microphone input, individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, general broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting, emergency broadcasting, melodies, and weekly data.

[18] Alternatively, the controller further includes a touch screen-type LCD for setting and displaying one or more functions selected from among microphone input, individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, general broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting, emergency broadcasting, melodies, and weekly data.

[19] Meanwhile, the digital data is compressed data, a data format of which is selected from among MP3, AVI and ASF, and the controller further includes an Internet telephone module for providing an Internet call service via serial communication of a type that is selected from among RS485, RS422 and RS232C.

[20] Preferably, the controller further includes volume controllers for controlling volumes of the media input channels, the audio signal input channels and the digital data output channels, and a battery charger for automatically restoring power upon a power failure.

[21] More preferably, the controller is connected to the individual speakers via wireless lines or a UTP cable.

Advantageous Effects

[22] The controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above, is capable of converting analog signals into a digital file using a multi-input/multi-output device, and performing output channel control suitable for the situation according to the priority, so that there are advantages in that various types of broadcasts, such as individual broadcasts, group broadcasts, scheduled broadcasts and emergency broadcasts, can be automatically performed via speakers having corresponding IP addresses, and an Internet call service can be provided via serial communication.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[23] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention; [24] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the rear of the casing of the controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention; and [25] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the front of the casing of the controller for a diversified

digital public address system according to the present invention.

[26] <Description on Reference Numerals>

[27] 10: media input channel 11 : On/Off switch

[28] 12: sound quality controller 13: AC input terminal

[29] 14: LAN connector 15: serial port

[30] 16: reset button 20: audio signal input channel

[31] 30: digital data output channel 40: terminal

[32] 50: stereo device input channel 60: manipulation button

[33] 70: LCD 80 and 80' : volume controller

[34] 90: charging terminal C: management computer

[35] D: audio signal processing unit G: media generation device

[36] M: microphone P: speaker

[37] S: speaker management software S': audio signal compression software

[38] T: audio data transmission unit N: Internet telephone module

[39] 100: controller for a diversified digital public address system

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[40] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings below.

[41] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the construction of a controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing the rear of the casing of the controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing the front of the casing of the controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention.

[42] Prior to giving a description of a controller 100 for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention, a general controller for a public address system is described in brief. The general controller for a public address system includes speaker management software S, an audio signal processing unit D, audio signal compression software S' and an audio signal transmission unit T.

[43] The speaker management software S includes software that is capable of transmitting control signals so as to manage audio source sounds and speakers. The audio signal processing unit D transmits audio source sounds, reproduced using the speaker management software S, in audio signal form.

[44] The audio data transmission unit T compresses the audio signals, received from the audio signal processing unit D, into digital data using the audio signal compression software S', and transmits the digital data via a network, with the IP addresses of corresponding speakers P, to which the digital data is desired to be transmitted, being

assigned thereto.

[45] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the controller for a diversified digital public address system 100 according to the present invention includes, in particular, media input channels 10, audio signal input channels 20, and digital data output channels 30, in addition to the above-described elements.

[46] The media input channels 10 include eight channels CHl to CH8 that are provided at the rear of a casing so that the media input channels 10 can be connected to media generation devices G, such as a CD player, a cassette deck, a tuner, a chime, a siren, a TV, a Video Tape Recorder (VTR), and a camcorder, via cables. The media input channels 10 receive media (text, voice and video) transmitted from the media generation devices G.

[47] The audio signal input channels 20 include eight channels CHl to CH8 that are provided in parallel with the media input channels 10 at the rear of the casing so that the audio signal input channels 20 can be connected to microphones M via cables. The audio signal input channels 10 receive audio signals transmitted from the microphones M.

[48] The digital data output channels 30 are connected to corresponding speakers P via cables. The digital data output channels 30 include eight channels CHl to CH8 that are provided at the rear of the casing so that the digital data output channels 30 output the transmitted media and digital data, converted from the audio signals (analog signals), to the corresponding speakers P.

[49] The speaker management software S and the audio signal processing unit D convert analog signals (the media and the audio signals) into digital data and then assign one or more IP addresses to the digital data when the analog signals are received from the media generation devices or the microphones via the media input channels 10 and the audio signal input channels 20.

[50] Meanwhile, in order to select individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, general broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting, or emergency broadcasting according to the situation and transmit data to speakers P having corresponding IP addresses via a network, control is performed on the digital data output channels 30 according to the priority using the embedded software S in conjunction with a management computer C.

[51] In this case, the digital data obtained through the conversion is compressed data, and the format of the digital data may be selected from among MP3, AVI and ASF. The digital data output channels 30 may be connected to the individual speakers P via wireless connections, or may be connected to the individual speakers P via a UTP (CAT5) cable in order to reduce noise and installation costs and simplify lines, thereby facilitating maintenance.

[52] It is preferred that the speaker management software S be configured to be regularly upgraded via the management computer C using a firmware-type embedded program.

[53] In particular, a terminal 40 is provided at the rear of the casing to operate in conjunction with emergency detectors (not shown) installed at remote locations so that the management computer C searches for a stored alarm sound (voice) in the event of an emergency and automatically broadcasts a found alarm sound to speakers P having corresponding IP addresses in the area where an emergency has occurred via the digital data output channels 30.

[54] The various emergency detectors for fire detection, infrared detection, entrance detection, shock detection, earthquake detection, heavy rain detection and tidal wave detection may be installed in remote areas where the speakers are located.

[55] In addition, stereo input channels 50 include four channels CH9 to CH12 that are provided at the rear of the casing so that the stereo input channels 50 are connected to various stereo devices, other than the media generation devices G or the microphones M, via cables. The stereo input channels 50 receive the transmitted audio signals.

[56] Manipulation buttons 60 include several touch button-type buttons that are provided at the front of the casing so that microphone input, 12 types of melodies, weekly data and the type of broadcasting (individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting, emergency broadcasting or general broadcasting) suitable for the situation can be set conveniently.

[57] In this case, in the case where the function of a remote control is achieved by providing an infrared generator (not shown) inside the casing and additionally providing a menu button for controlling the infrared generator, such as a channel number button, to the manipulation buttons 60, various electronic devices, such as a TV, a VTR and an audio device, can be conveniently controlled.

[58] Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the manipulation buttons 60, a touch screen-type Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) 70 that is capable of setting and displaying microphone input, 12 types of melodies, weekly data and the type of broadcasting suitable for the situation may be provided.

[59] Volume controllers 80 and 80' are provided at the rear and front of the casing so that they can control the volumes of the media input channels 10, the audio signal input channels 20 and the digital data output channels 30 through the clockwise/ counterclockwise rotation thereof.

[60] Furthermore, a battery charger (not shown) may be provided to protect memory and automatically restore power in the event of a power failure so as to ensure stable broadcasting. A charging terminal 90, to which 24V DC power is connected via an adaptor, is provided at the rear of the casing to support charging.

[61] Meanwhile, it is preferred that the management computer C and the speakers P

having respective IP addresses be provided with a bidirectional broadcasting function through a wired/wireless network, and that a speaker P having a specific IP address have a function of coercing a speaker P having another IP address into participating in a broadcast in conjunction with the management computer C.

[62] Alternatively, construction may be such that a Local Area Network (LAN) connection-type Internet telephone module N is contained therein and an Internet call service is provided via RS485, RS422 or RS232C serial communication (via a serial port 15), rather than a general telephone cable.

[63] The Internet telephone module N is software that is installed in the ROM of a microprocessor MCU and controls a telephone transmission and reception algorithm in order to connect to an Internet communication network and perform voice communication. The Internet telephone module N may include an RTOS unit, that is, a real-time operating system, a TCP/IP unit written in C language, and an application program configured to execute functions, such as a menu function, call dialing and call reception, the output control of the LCD 70, key input, and the confirmation of ring transmission and reception.

[64] In this case, a separate handset may be used as a handset for telephone communication, telephone communication may be implemented via a wireless connection using existing 900 MHz communication, wireless LAN or Bluetooth, or Wireless Broadband (WiBro), which is a wireless wideband Internet service technology that can be wirelessly and easily used while moving, like a mobile phone, may be adopted.

[65] The reference numerals 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 of the drawings respectively designate an On/Off switch for controlling the supply of power, a sound quality controller EQ for controlling the sound quality of the output channels 30, an AC input terminal, a LAN connector for supporting bidirectional network communication, a serial port 15 configured to be controlled and communicate via RS485, RS422 or RS232C, and a reset button 16.

[66] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment in which the speakers P have individual IP addresses, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the construction can also be applied to a digital amplifier.

[67] The controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention, constructed as described above, operates as follows.

[68] In the controller for a diversified digital public address system according to the present invention, various media generation devices are connected to the media input channels 10, including the eight channels CHl to CH8 at the rear of the casing, via cables, and microphones are connected to the audio signal input channels 20, including the eight channels CHl to CH8 at the rear of the casing, via cables.

[69] Furthermore, the remote speakers P assigned corresponding IP addresses are

connected to the digital data output channels 30, including the eight channels CHl to CH8 at the rear of the casing, via a UTP (CAT5) cable, thereby reducing noise and installation costs and simplifying lines and thus facilitating maintenance.

[70] Once media including text, voice and video are input from one or more media generation devices G and audio signals are input from one or more microphones M, the software S and S' and the audio signal processing and transmission units D and T convert the analog signals into digital data, such as MP3, AVI or ASF data, assign IP addresses to the digital data, and transmit the digital data to corresponding speakers P via the digital data output channels 30.

[71] Then, the embedded (speaker management) software S controls the digital data output channels 30 in conjunction with the management computer C, so that individual broadcasting, group broadcasting, general broadcasting, scheduled broadcasting, or emergency broadcasting can be selected according to the situation, and the digital data can be transmitted to the speakers P having corresponding IP addresses.

[72] In this case, since the various touch button-type manipulation buttons 60 are provided at the front of the casing, microphone input, weekly data, 12 types of melodies and the type of broadcast (an individual broadcast, a group broadcast, a scheduled broadcast, an emergency broadcast, or a general broadcast) suitable for the situation can be conveniently selected. In another embodiment, when the touch screen- type LCD 70 is provided, even more convenience is realized because the setting and display of the function of the controller can be performed at the same time.

[73] In particular, since the terminal 40 is provided at the rear of the casing so that it operates in conjunction with emergency detectors respectively installed at remote locations, the apparatus of the present invention is very efficient in disaster broadcasting because, in the event of an emergency, the management computer can search for an area where an emergency has occurred and can automatically and rapidly broadcast a stored alert voice only to speakers having corresponding IP addresses.

[74] In addition, in the case where the stereo input channels 50 further include four channels CH9 to CH 12 at the rear of the casing, the stereo input channels 50 can be connected to various stereo devices, in addition to the media generation devices G or the microphones M, thereby enabling the input and output of audio signals spanning a wide range.

[75] Furthermore, the volumes of the media input channels 10, the audio signal input channels 20 and the digital data output channels 30 can be conveniently controlled using the volume controllers 80 and 80' provided at the rear and front of the casing. Moreover, when the battery charger and the charging terminal 90 are provided, power can be automatically restored in the event of a power failure, therefore memory can be completely protected and broadcasting can be stabilized.

[76] Although only the specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various variations or modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, therefore it can be understood that the variations or modifications pertain to the accompanying claims.