Audio system with integrated power, audio signal and control distribution

摘要

A control and distribution system provides electrical power distribution, audio signal distribution, and control signal distribution to one or more audio components, such as a powered loudspeaker element or a signal conditioning device such as a rack-mounted amplifier. Embodiments allow for the monitoring and/or control of parameters and/or components at or near the endpoint of the system. These parameters or components include low-level parameters associated with the external audio devices, as opposed to merely higher level parameters of the system. The control and distribution system may include an uninterrupted power source for providing power in an online or offline mode to selected components of the external audio devices. In some embodiments, online backup power is provided to low-power components without providing power to amplifiers within the external audio devices.

主权项

1. An audio, control and power distribution system for providing redundant power, audio and control to one or more external audio devices, the audio, control and power distribution system comprising:
an input power interface for receiving external mains power to provide primary power to the one or more external audio devices; a plurality of input audio interfaces for receiving primary audio signals and secondary audio signals, wherein each primary audio signal has a respective primary control signal encoded therein; a transceiver for transmitting and/or receiving an additional control signal; a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver for generating and/or processing the additional control signal; and an output interface for delivering the primary power, backup power, primary audio signals with encoded primary control signals, secondary audio signals, and additional control signal to each external audio device; and a backup power source for generating the backup power; wherein the primary power, backup power, primary audio signals, secondary audio signals, primary control signal and additional control signal are provided such that the external audio devices are separately capable of: switching from the primary power to the backup power in the event of failure of the primary power; switching from the primary audio signals to the secondary audio signals in the event of failure of the primary audio signals; and switching from the primary control signal to the additional control signal in the event of failure of the primary control signal.