WO2006032645A1

WO2006032645A1 - Connector module for a sonic transducer and method for operation of a public address system

Info

Publication number: WO2006032645A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/054660
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jens PRÜFER
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2004-09-22
Filing date: 2005-09-19
Publication date: 2006-03-30
Also published as: DE102004045942A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector module (2), for a sonic transducer (12), in particular, for a loudspeaker (14). The invention further relates to a loudspeaker module (38), a public address system (50) made up by the combination of several loudspeaker modules to give a public address system (50) and a method for operation of the same. The invention also relates to a ship. In various public address systems (50), large distances between a system amplifier and loudspeakers (14) must be overcome with cables. The public address system (50) may be produced with a significantly reduced cable and installation complexity by means of said interface for connection of the sonic transducer to an IP network (6).

Description

description

Connection module for a sound transducer and method for Be¬ operation of a public address system

The invention relates to a connection module for a sound ^{¬ converter} , in particular for a speaker. Furthermore, the invention relates to a loudspeaker assembly and by assembling a plurality of loudspeaker assemblies to a public address system, it also relates to a public address system and a method for operating such on an IP network. The invention also relates to a ship.

It is known for public address systems to use a so-called 10OV system. Extensive distances between a system amplifier and the loudspeakers must be overcome in the case of large-scale loudspeaker systems. A 10-OV system basically works like an energy transmission line. Ie electrical power can comparatively thin cable cross-sections and yet with ge ^¬ wrestle line losses are transported. This means that the speaker signal to the amplifier system using ei ^¬ nes transformer to 100V is transformed and are formed on According ^¬ speaker has the 100V level to the nominal operating voltage of the mostly low-speaker back down trans ^¬. The quality and dimensioning of these transformers are absolutely crucial for the sound quality of the entire system and must be individually adapted over and over again.

A speaker for a 100V system has such a transformer that makes the appropriate adjustment to the low impedance of the chassis on. In addition, the ^{cables have} an influence on the reproduction quality. In their cross section too small cables deteriorate the quality significantly. For lOOV systems too, the cables should have a cross-section of 1.5mm ² , for larger lengths, about 40m, 2.5mm ² do not fall below. Also on the Feinlitzigkeit the cable is to be respected. In large systems, such as a sports arena or a hotel is the high cost and in ^¬ stallationsaufwand for wiring a disadvantage. One of further disadvantage is the sound quality, because especially rich in deep Be ^¬ frequencies occur in the core of the transformer ho¬ he magnetic field strengths. The core material unit to Be ^¬ rich saturation, so the transmitter does not work more linear, audible distortions are the inevitable consequence.

T ASK of the present invention is to provide a An¬ circuit module for a sound transducer, the gegen¬ Bel over the prior art with a significantly reduced Ka¬ and installation costs manages, associated time and cost savings possible ^¬ with simultaneous Ver improvement the sound quality. It should also be specified a corresponding method.

This object is achieved based on the initially mentioned connection module according to the invention by an interface for connecting a sound transducer to an IP network. Put through the connection module with the inventive interface ^¬ ^¬ can be closed and operated transducer to existing IP networks. Thus, an additional cabling for a public address system or for a specific group ^¬ distribution of speakers has become obsolete. When using an existing IP network cable and Instal ^¬ lationsaufwand are very low.

Under "IP network" is understood in the context of the invention, a network for communication or data exchange according to the Internet Protocol.

Advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention düng result from the dependent of the patent claim 1 claims. It is particularly advantageous that the interface is prepared with a means for decoding digitized audio data carried over the IP network.

With such an embodiment, voice-over-IP data, that is coded audio data, can be converted into analog data.

Voice-over-IP is the transport of voice over data networks.

If the agent is a microcontroller for decoding, that is particularly advantageous ^¬ way, in an embodiment variant. Since a microcontroller can realize any logic and replace almost any digital circuit, it is prepared for decoding the data, in particular programmed. Today's microcontrollers are so powerful that in addition to the decoding they can take over further functional tasks within the interface.

In a further preferred embodiment, the microcontroller is programmable in the case of an interface connected to the IP network, in particular for maintenance and / or diagnostic purposes. It is particularly advantageous if the program code in the built-in and / or in the connected state can be changed or interchanged. It can, for example, software updates or Parameterlis ^¬ th in the microcontroller, animals without the interface to demon¬ be recorded.

A further increase of the dynamic change and adaptation or An¬ the firmware, ie the software in the microcontroller, is achieved in that the interface PROGRAMMING ^¬ tion and / or maintenance over the IP network, especially aus¬ going from a remote control room, is prepared. With such an embodiment, individual sound transducers with their connection modules can be monitored and controlled by a central control station. A service technician can help himself a remote monitoring targeted seek out a defective or software¬ technically obsolete connection module and take measures menamen. A parameter change, for example an output power adjustment, can also be implemented remotely. This saves time and personnel costs.

It is expedient that the interface for data reduction is prepared in such a way that an audio compression method, for example the Vorbis format, can be used for data transmission over the IP network. By an audio compression ^¬ method, the amount of data transmission is reduced to a Vielfa ^¬ ches, the network is relieved and the data can be transferred without significant collisions.

The Vorbis format or method is numerically simple ges¬ taltet, what the use of a simple microcontroller he ^¬ permits.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the interface has an amplifier for amplifying the decoded audio data. The thus amplified decoded audio data can then also be perceived in a noisy environment with a correspondingly powerful sound transducer.

Preferably, a power supply ^{device is} integrated into the interface. With the power supply device in the connection module, the interface is operable independently of a possible battery operation.

In a preferred embodiment, the power supply device can be fed via the IP network, for example with the Power-over-LAN technology. For transducer klei ^¬ ner or medium power classes is the power that is provided with the Power-over-LAN technology, sufficient to the microcontroller and the amplifier safe to drive be¬. It is expedient that the interface can be operated individually on the IP network and / or in a series connection, which consists of at least two interfaces connected in series, on the IP network. This possibility of connection is equipped with a connection module

Schallwandlersystem expresses flexible and dynamic. For example, a single sound transducer in a hotel room or in a ship's cabin can provide the guest or passenger with messages. The transducer only has to be connected to the already existing IP network via the connection ^module . For example, a long corridor can be supplied with a series connection of interfaces. In addition, this option can once again save on cable and installation costs, and on the other hand, the redundancy of the connection is reduced by a virtual connection

Ring structure achieved. However, this requires at least a second connection to the IP network, for example, at the beginning and at the end of the series connection, each one connection to the IP network.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is that the interface for operation in a series ^{scarf ¬} tion a switching ^device , for example, a relay for switching through signal paths, has such that when interrupting the power supply of the IP network connection of the subsequent interface, guaranteed is. Through the through-connection device, series connections of interfaces can advantageously be safely operated.

Conveniently, the transducer and the connection ^¬ module form a structural unit, namely a group of loudspeakers ^¬. For universal use and for a very einfa¬ che mounting the speaker assembly, for example, Be ^¬ was easy to integrate part of a modular system, and with all connections to the outside guided in the existing infrastructure. A particularly advantageous embodiment is a Beschal ^¬ treatment system with at least one speaker assembly and / or at least one connection module, which are connected by an IP network and / or with an IP network. Such a sound system is different from all the aforementioned advantages of the prior art.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the public address system is characterized by one or more of the following functionalities:

- channel subdivision,

- multi-program capability,

- Call group assignment,

Addressability of the call groups, individual addressability of the loudspeaker modules,

- Provide an audio-on-demand feature

- possibility of diagnosis of the loudspeaker modules,

- Dynamic parameterization of the loudspeaker modules.

The advantage of a channel subdivision in public address systems is that different channels are permanently available in the IP network and can be output via the respectively assigned loudspeaker subassemblies. This means that a software-based channel setting on the loudspeaker assembly enables the output of an application-specific Tonka ^¬ nals.

If the system is more capable program, so a particular speaker can play as run a pre- defined time program with advantage to at ^¬, for example are for a shift operation programmatically different announcements to use.

A call group allocation is particularly advantageous for the provision of information or announcements for a certain group of people, but which is additionally decentralized in the given infrastructure. For example, in a hospital, different types of Only the nurses' rooms can be combined into one call group.

A further advantageous function is the addressability of the call groups. Thus, certain personality groups can be taken to it dynamically or excluded from the announcement information.

Preferably, a public address system according to the invention also has the function of individual addressability. This signified tet ^¬, for example, that a hotel guest individual Informa ^¬ tions over the sound system in his hotel room can men bekom¬. The prerequisite for the provision of audio-on-demand is the individual addressability. Again, in the example of the hotel room, the guest can thus play a radio play in his room which he ^{himself desires} .

A public address system in conjunction with several powerful servers and control stations advantageously has a diagnostic capability of the loudspeaker modules. At a superordinate control station the function of the speaker assembly can therefore example ^¬ ^¬ as checked to whether a defect is present, the module is set to or what volume, for which software version. Zt. is implemented in the microcontroller which parameter list is present, etc. The dynamic configurability a volume ^¬ speaker assembly is then a great advantage when it comes game as in ^¬ to adjust each speaker assembly on their individual environment.

An advantageous use of the public address system is on a ship which has an IP network.

With regard to the method mentioned at the outset, the object mentioned at the outset is also achieved by virtue of the fact that, using an interface via the IP network, guided digital sierte audio data are decoded and that, the decoded analog data are made audible via an ^¬ connected to the interface nen ^¬ transducer.

By means of software, which consists of two parts, on the one hand, the firmware, ie the software that can run in the microcontrollers or in the interfaces, and on the other, the control system software that controls the Voice-over-IP data in the IP network , individual or several of the following requirements of a public address system are optionally opti ^¬ mized:

- the widest possible frequency spectrum in the entire room,

- Lowest distortion even at high sound pressure levels,

- sufficient power reserves for dynamic reproduction, - consideration of signal propagation times,

- uniform sound pressure distribution in the room,

- high signal-to-noise ratio,

- best possible speech intelligibility,

- Low tendency for acoustic feedback.

Preferred but not limiting Ausführungsbei ^¬ play the invention will now be explained based on the drawing nä¬ forth. For clarity, the drawing is not drawn to scale, and certain features are shown only schematically. In detail, the shows

1 shows a connection module for a sound transducer,

2 shows a loudspeaker assembly,

3 shows a public address system.

1 shows a connection module 2 for connecting a sound transducer 12 to an IP network 6. The connection module 2 is designed as a robust, flat, splash-proof housing for receiving an interface 4. By means of the connection module 2, the interface 4 with the connections supplied for the IP network 6, for a Powerbus A 30 and for the transducer 12. For physical connectivity of the IP network 6 is a PHY-MAC chip 22 are avail ^¬. The PHY-MAC module is a single-chip Ethernet controller. Via not shown RJ-45 sockets an incoming line and an outgoing line of the IP network 6 can be connected to the PHY MAC module 22.

The PHY-MAC module 22 includes a switching device 20. The switching device 20 is embodied as a relay and, in the event of a power failure, can switch through the signal paths of the IP network 6. This is of particular importance when the connection module 2 is operated in a series circuit.

The PHY-MAC module 22 is connected to a microcontroller 10 in connection. In the microcontroller 10, the layer 2 to layer 4 of the Ethernet protocol stack are implemented by software. The microcontroller 10 additionally includes a means for decoding 8. This means for decoding 8 is used for deco ^¬ dieren the reduced according to an audio compression method data. The means for decoding 8 is a software imple mentation ^¬ after the audio compression method in the Vorbis format within the microcontroller 10. The thus decoded audio data are input to a DA converter. 9

The DA converter 9 provides as an output the analog Au ^¬ diodaten. This analog audio data is supplied to an amplifier 16. The amplifier 16 prepares the signal-weak audio data from the DA converter 9 as power-matched audio data for the sound transducer 12.

The interface 4 is supplied with power via the Powerbus-A 30. The power supply device 18 is connected directly to the power bus A 30 and feeds the microcontroller 10 and the amplifier 16. Figure 2 shows a loudspeaker assembly 38 as a structural A ^¬ standardize the interface 4 with a speaker 14. The speaker assembly According ^¬ 38 is designed as a robust, weatherproof housing mountable. The loudspeaker assembly 38 has connectivity for an IP network 6, both as an input and as an output. Furthermore ver ^¬ adds the speaker assembly 38 via a connection for the power supply to the power bus A 30. The analog signal generated in the interface 4 is guided via an inte- tured power amplifier to the speaker fourteenth

3 shows a sound system 50. The speaker ^¬ assemblies 41 to 45 are tet verschal¬ in a series circuit. For the power supply of the speaker assemblies 41 to 45 are two power buses, the Powerbus-A 30 and the Po ^¬ werbus-B 32, available. The Powerbus A 30 supplies power to the loudspeaker assemblies 41, 43 and 45. The Powerbus- B 32 supplies the speaker assembly 42, and the loudspeaker ^¬ cherbaugruppe 44 with electricity. This type of power supply establishes a kind of power supply redundancy, because if the complete power supply of the Powerbus B 32 fails, the loudspeaker modules 41, 43 and 45 can still be supplied with power via the Powerbus-A 30. The through-switching device 20, see FIG. 1, ensures that the signal paths for the IP network 6 are switched through in the now currentless loudspeaker modules 42 and 44.

The sound system 50 has two feed points for the IP network 6. The IP network 6 is closed via a switch 34 and via a switch 36 to the sound system 50 is ^¬. The switch 34 is in communication with the speaker assembly 41. The switch 36 is connected to the loudspeaker module 45. Information redundancy is achieved by this type of IP network connection, because if the signal line between the switch 34 and the loudspeaker assembly 41 fails, the entire public address system can still be connected via the switch 36 through the connection to the loudspeaker. choder group 45 wer¬ supplied with digitized audio.

Claims

claims

1. Connection module (2) for a sound transducer (12), in particular for a loudspeaker (14), by means of an interface (4) for connecting the sound transducer (12) to an IP network (6).

2. Connection module (2) according to claim 1, e e c e n e e c h e n e by a means (8) ren for decoding over the IP network (6) guided digitized audio data.

3. Connection module (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the means (8) for decoding a microcontroller (10) is.

4. Connection module (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the microcontroller (10) is programmable with the interface (4) connected to the IP network (6), in particular for maintenance and / or diagnostic purposes.

5. Connection module (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the interface (4) for programming and / or maintenance over the IP network (6), in particular starting from a remote control room, is prepared.

6. connection module (2) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the interface ^¬ (4) is prepared for data reduction such that for data transmission via the IP network (6) an audio compression method, for example the Vorbis- Format, usable.

7. Connection module (2) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the interface ^¬ (4) has an amplifier (16) for amplifying the decoded audio data.

8. Connection module (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a power supply device (18) is integrated in the interface (4).

9. Connection module (2) according to claim 8, characterized in that the power supply device ^¬ (18) via the IP network (6), spielsweise with the Power-over-LAN technology, can be fed.

10. Connection module (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the interface ^¬ (4) individually on the IP network (6) and / or in a Rei¬ henschaltung, consisting of at least two cascaded interfaces (4) is operable on the IP network (6) bar.

11. Connection module (2) according to claim 1, wherein the interface (4) for operation in a series connection comprises a

Circuit switching device (20), for example, a relay for switching through signal paths, has, in such a way that when interrupting the power supply of the IP network connection of the subsequent interface is ensured.

12. loudspeaker assembly (38) comprising a sound transducer (12) and a connection module (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the sound converter (12) and the connection module (2) form a structural unit.

13. Sound system (50), characterized by at least one loudspeaker ^¬ cherbaugruppe (38) according to claim 12 and / or at least one connection module (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11, by an IP network (6) and / or with an IP network (6).

14. Sound system (50) according to claim 13, e e c e n e c e e by one or more of the following functionalities: