Digital Communication System for Loudspeakers

A method of communicating between audio equipment and a loudspeaker comprising:

• connecting the loudspeaker and the audio equipment over a standard two-wire speaker wire operable to carry an analog audio signal, wherein the analog audio signal is a high-voltage, high-current analog audio signal;
• providing a master node in electrical communication with an analog signal path carrying the analog audio signal between the audio equipment and the loudspeaker, wherein the master node is alternating current (AC) coupled to the standard two-wire speaker wire, wherein the master node includes a data encoder operable to encode data signals, and a data transceiver operable to place the data signals onto the analog audio signal at frequencies above audio frequencies;
• providing a slave node in electrical communication with the master node and the loudspeaker, wherein the slave node is AC coupled to the standard two-wire speaker wire, wherein the slave node includes a data transceiver operable to receive the data signals from the master node, a data decoder and an interface able to communicate with electronics in the loudspeaker, wherein the analog signal path is able to simultaneously transmit both the analog audio signal and the data signals;
• receiving, by the slave node, a control signal in the data signals from the master node;
• and
• controlling, by the slave node responsive to the control signal, a parameter of the electronics in the loudspeaker.

An audio system comprising:

• audio equipment that is operable to generate an analog audio signal;
• a loudspeaker that is operable to receive the analog audio signal and to generate an audio output;
• a standard two-wire speaker wire that connects the audio equipment and the loudspeaker, and is operable to carry the analog audio signal, wherein the analog audio signal is a high-voltage, high-current analog audio signal;
• a master node in electrical communication with an analog signal path carrying the analog audio signal between the audio equipment and the loudspeaker, wherein the master node is alternating current (AC) coupled to the standard two-wire speaker wire, wherein the master node includes a data encoder operable to encode data signals, and a data transceiver operable to place the data signals onto the analog audio signal at frequencies above audio frequencies;
• and
• a slave node in electrical communication with the master node and the loudspeaker, wherein the slave node is AC coupled to the standard two-wire speaker wire, wherein the slave node includes a data transceiver operable to receive the data signals from the master node, a data decoder and an interface able to communicate with electronics in the loudspeaker, wherein the analog signal path is able to simultaneously transmit both the analog audio signal and the data signals,
• wherein the slave node is operable to receive a control signal in the data signals from the master node, and responsive to the control signal, to control a parameter of the electronics in the loudspeaker.