Intelligent audio speakers
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics S.r.l.
InventorsOleg Logvinov, Brion John Ebert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An intelligent audio speaker that uses a power line communication element to provide audio distribution within homes, businesses, apartment complexes, and other buildings. Multiple intelligent audio speakers may be networked together, with common control. The intelligent audio speaker may, in some embodiments of the present invention, contain enhanced ambient backlight effects to further enhance the listener's experience. In some embodiments of the present invention, an existing audio speaker is retrofitted to an intelligent audio speaker using a retrofit kit.
Claims56
An intelligent audio system comprising:
- a unit comprising:
- a processing element for processing digital data and controlling functions within the intelligent audio system;
- a power line communications element operatively coupled to the processing element, wherein the power line communications element has a digital output;
- a digital to analog conversion element operatively coupled to the digital output of the power line communications element for converting a digital audio signal to an analog audio signal;
- an audio amplification element operatively coupled to the digital to analog conversion element;
- and
- an audio speaker driven by the audio amplification element;
- and
- an ambient light emitter element configured to provide ambiance enhancing lighting for a surrounding area, wherein the ambient light emitter element is mounted to the unit.
A intelligent audio system speaker comprising:
- a retrofit kit enclosure configured to be mounted to a conventional audio speaker enclosure, the retrofit kit enclosure comprising:
- a processing element for processing digital data and controlling functions within the intelligent audio system;
- a power line communications element operatively coupled to the processing element, wherein the power line communications element has a digital output;
- a digital to analog conversion element operatively coupled to the digital output of the power line communications element for converting a digital audio signal to an analog audio signal;
- an audio amplification element having an input and an output, the input being operatively coupled to said digital to analog conversion element and the output being electrically connected to the conventional audio speaker;
- and
- an ambient light emitter element configured to provide ambiance enhancing lighting for a surrounding area, wherein the ambient light emitter element is mounted to the retrofit kit enclosure.
An audio system comprising:
- a first enclosure comprising:
- a power line communication module configured to receive digital audio data;
- a processing module communicably coupled to the power line communication module;
- a digital to analog converter communicably coupled to the power line communication module;
- an audio amplifier communicably coupled to the digital to analog converter element;
- an audio output port communicably coupled to the audio amplifier;
- and
- an ambient light emitter module configured to provide aesthetic lighting in a surrounding area of the first enclosure, wherein the ambient light emitter is mounted to an exterior surface of the first enclosure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.