Audio distribution system having programmable zoning features
US5440644A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 15, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 8, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 15, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04R2227/005
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A signal distribution and communication arrangement includes an electronic processor-based master control unit which controls the broadcast of different types of signals through speakers located in various zones. The system includes a telephone interfaced with a door speaker controller to allow communication between the telephone and a door speaker. A page may now be broadcast over selected speakers and zones selectively muted to allow private communication when the page is answered. Also included is a doorbell interface circuit that responds to a doorbell source. The doorbell source may be activated by any one of a plurality of doorbell switches. An additional aspect of the present invention includes grouping zones together so that all source selection works concurrently, and each subzone in the group retains independent volume control, bass and treble. Further, a new sub-set of zone programming allows the installer to label a zone as any alpha-numeric seven-digit name.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.