# US 8,571,237 B2 · Multi-zone audio amplification system for multimedia > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,571,237 B2 - Document ID: US8571237B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/497,459 - Filed: 2009-07-02 - Published: 2011-01-06 - Granted: 2013-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-02 - Assignees: Amp'd PC Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: Steven D. Staal; Brian S. Boyer - Inventors: Steven D. Staal; Brian S. Boyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8571237B2 ## CPC - H03F 3/181: Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers - G06F 3/162: {Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs} - G06F 13/385: {for adaptation of a particular data processing system to different peripheral devices} - Y10T 29/49124: On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc. - H03F: AMPLIFIERS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The teachings are directed to a power amplifier expansion card (“amplifier card”) for a computer. The amplifier card receives audio data through an input port and amplifies the audio data to high-level passive speaker power for transmissions through an output port. The amplifier card can comprise a circuit board having (i) at least two audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and (iii) an onboard cooling system. The amplifier card can be used, for example, in a multimedia system having at least a studio controller operably connected to the amplifier card for receiving and processing input audio data. Examples of such multimedia systems include, but are not limited to, a television home entertainment system, an audio home entertainment system, a music production studio system, a gaming system, a personal computing system, or any combination thereof. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multimedia system, comprising: an audio power amplifier expansion card operably connected to the multimedia system and having a circuit board including (i) at least two audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and, (iii) an onboard cooling system; wherein, the expansion card operably interfaces with a motherboard of a computer; a studio controller operably connected to the expansion card for receiving and processing input audio data, the studio controller having a receiver of audio data from one or more sources; a mixer of the audio data from the one or more sources; state selectors for controlling audio data input and output; and, a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) or application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) microprocessor; and, a peripheral amplifier extension card operably connected to the system, the extension card comprising a second circuit board having (i) at least three audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and, (iii) an onboard cooling system; wherein, the extension card operably interfaces with the motherboard of the computer and the expansion card; and the multimedia system comprises at least 5 audio output channels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising an auto-amplifier bridge gate functioning to (i) identify the absence of a passive speaker load at an audio output port of the extension card and (ii) bridge power generated by the extension card back to the expansion card to increase the audio power output of the expansion card. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1; wherein, the expansion card has (i) 2 audio output channels having at least 50 W RMS perchannel, and (ii) an onboard cooling system; and the peripheral amplifier extension card has (i) 3 audio output channels consisting of 2 audio output channels having at least 50 W RMS per channel and 1 audio output channel having at least 75 W RMS per channel; and (ii) an onboard cooling system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1; wherein, the expansion card comprises (i) 2 audio output channels having at least 50 W RMS per channel, and (ii) an onboard cooling system; and, the peripheral amplifier extension card comprises (i) 5 audio output channels consisting of 4 audio output channels having at least 50 W RMS per channel and 1 audio output channel having at least 75 W RMS per channel; and (ii) an onboard cooling system; wherein, the multimedia system comprises at least 7 audio output channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver of audio and video data for television, wherein the receiver of audio and video data is operably connected to the system to amplify the audio data. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver for audio data for radio, wherein the receiver of audio data is operably connected to the system to amplify the audio data. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising an audio effects bay operably connected to the system for altering the audio data from the one or more sources. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of a disc player, a TV tuner and/or digital video recorder/receiver, a graphic equalizer, and a studio mixer; wherein, the one or more components operably connect to the system, communicate with the studio controller, and have a form factor complementary to a 5.25 inch drive bay of a workstation computer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the audio power amplification circuit amplifies audio power to at least 50 W RMS per channel and having at least 100 W RMS total audio amplification power. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the audio power amplification circuit comprises an output stage consisting of discrete circuitry. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the audio power amplification circuit comprises integrated audio amplifier circuitry. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, wherein the expansion card functions to receive and amplify audio data having a frequency from about 10 Hz to about 100 kHz. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising audio mixing functionality for splitting mono audio into at least two audio channels or combining more than two audio channels into two audio channels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, further comprising audio routing functionality for splitting audio into more than two audio channels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The multimedia system of claim 1, functioning to (i) receive and amplify standard digital audio data, standard analog audio data, or a combination thereof; and optionally, (ii) operate independent of operation of the computer. ### Claim 16 A multi-zone audio amplification system, comprising: an audio power amplifier expansion card operably connected to the multimedia system and having a circuit board including (i) at least two audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and (iii) an onboard cooling system; wherein, the expansion card operably interfaces with a motherboard of a computer; a peripheral amplifier extension card operably connected to the system, the extension card comprising a second circuit board having (i) at least three audio channels; (ii) an audio power amplification circuit for amplifying audio power to at least 20 W RMS per channel; and, (iii) an onboard cooling system; wherein, the extension card operably interfaces with the motherboard of the computer and the expansion card; and the multimedia system comprises at least 5 audio output channels; a studio controller operably connected to the expansion card for receiving and processing input audio data, the studio controller having a receiver of audio data from one or more sources; a mixer of the audio data from the one or more sources; state selectors for controlling audio data input and output; and, a field-programmable-gate-array (FPGA) or application-specific-integrated-circuit (ASIC) microprocessor; and, a multi-zone audio amplification manager operably connected to the system and functioning to (i) identify independent sources of audio data input; (ii) split, alternate, or merge the direction of the amplified audio data output; and (iii) provide for a plurality of independent amplified audio data streams. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The multi-zone audio amplification system of claim 16, wherein the expansion card comprises discrete audio amplifier circuitry, amplifies audio power to at least 50 W RMS per channel, and has at least 100 W RMS total audio amplification power. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The multi-zone audio amplification system of claim 16, further comprising a receiver of audio and video data for television, wherein the receiver of audio and video data is operably connected to the system to amplify the audio data. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The multi-zone audio amplification system of claim 16, further comprising a receiver for audio data for radio, wherein the receiver of audio data is operably connected to the system to amplify the audio data. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The multi-zone audio amplification system of claim 16, further comprising an audio effects bay operably connected to the system for altering the audio data from the one or more sources.