Audio distribution system having programmable zoning features

An electronically controlled signal routing network as part of an audio intercom system having a door speaker zone and designated signal zones in a facility, each zone representing an area in the facility in which audio signals are broadcasted, the network comprising:

• a plurality of signal generating devices, each said signal generating device generating a signal for broadcast over the intercom system independently of the other signal generating devices;
• a door-speaker arrangement located in the door-speaker zone and configured to couple control signals and audio signals within the intercom system between the door-speaker zone and the plurality of signal generating devices;
• a receiving circuit, arranged to operate independently with respect to the plurality of signal generating devices, receiving user input information to designate selected zones in which to route at least one of said respectively generated signals between the door speaker zone and the plurality of signal generating devices for broadcast over the intercom system;
• and
• an electronic control circuit including
• a routing circuit for routing the signals respectively generated by said signal generating devices between a plurality of the signal zones and the door speaker zone,
• input keys for inputting custom names of the zones,
• a display for displaying the custom names of the zones, and
• a programmable controller including a microcomputer, programmed to receive and display customized names for the zones from the user, responsive to the user information received by the receiving circuit, for establishing and storing a routing path through the routing circuit and for routing said at least one of the plurality of signals to the selected zones designated by the user;
• said electronic control circuit routing or blocking at least one of the plurality of signals according to the selected zones and the door-speaker arrangement as designated by the user via the established and stored routing path.

For use in an electronically controlled signal routing network as part of an audio intercom system having designated signal zones in a facility, a door speaker zone, and a plurality of signal paths, each zone representing a room of a residence in which audio signals are broadcasted, a method for routing signals in the signal paths to the designed zones comprising the steps of:

• providing a plurality of signal generators;
• using the plurality of signal generators, generating a plurality of signals, each said signal generated independently of the other signal generating devices;
• providing a door-sneaker arrangement located in the door-speaker zone;
• using the door-speaker arrangement, coupling control signals and audio signals within the intercom system between the door-speaker zone and the plurality of signal generating devices;
• providing a receiving circuit constructed and arranged to operate independently of the plurality of signal generators;
• using the receiving circuit, receiving user input information to designate a selected zone to which to route at least one of said respectively generated signals;
• providing programmable electronic control to route the generated signals for establishing and storing a routing path to the designated zone;
• and in response to the stored user input information, routing said at least one of said respectively generated signals over the intercom system to the designated zone.

An electronically controlled signal routing network as part of an audio intercom system having a door-speaker zone and designated signal zones in a facility, each zone representing a room in a residence in which audio signals are broadcasted, the network comprising:

• a plurality of signal generating devices, each said signal generating device generating a signal for broadcast over the intercom system independently of the other signal generating devices;
• a door-speaker arrangement located in the door-speaker zone and configured to couple control signals and audio signals within the intercom system between the door-speaker zone and the plurality of signal generating devices;
• a receiving circuit, arranged to operate independently with respect to the plurality of signal generating devices, receiving user input information to designate selected zones in which to route at least one of said respectively generated signals for broadcast over the intercom system;
• and
• an electronic control circuit including
• a routing circuit for routing the signals respectively generated by said signal generating devices between a plurality of the signal zones, and
• a programmable controller, responsive to the user input information received by the receiving circuit, for establishing and storing a routing path through the routing circuit;
• said electronic control circuit routing at least one of the plurality of signals to the selected zones for broadcast therein over the intercom system according to the established and stored routing path.