Patent US5440644A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5440644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Audio distribution system having programmable zoning features
Assignee: Elan Home Systems LLC
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Filing: 1993-04-15
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Granted: 1995-08-08
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Expires: 2013-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A signal distribution and communication arrangement includes an electronic processor-based master control unit which controls the broadcast of different types of signals through speakers located in various zones. The system includes a telephone interfaced with a door speaker controller to allow communication between the telephone and a door speaker. A page may now be broadcast over selected speakers and zones selectively muted to allow private communication when the page is answered. Also included is a doorbell interface circuit that responds to a doorbell source. The doorbell source may be activated by any one of a plurality of doorbell switches. An additional aspect of the present invention includes grouping zones together so that all source selection works concurrently, and each subzone in the group retains independent volume control, bass and treble. Further, a new sub-set of zone programming allows the installer to label a zone as any alpha-numeric seven-digit name.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Farinelli
- 👤 Thomas P. Carrin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R27/00; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/71; H04M1/715; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/025; H04M9/00; H04M9/08; H04R3/00; H04R3/12; H04R5/00; H04R5/04; H04R2227/00; H04R2227/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network having designated signal zones, each zone representing a facility area 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 independently of the other 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; 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 according to the established and stored routing path, wherein in response to repeated generation of said at least one of the respectively generated signals, the electronic control circuit repeatedly uses the stored routing path to route each said at least one of the respectively generated signals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network having designated signal zones, each zone representing a facility area 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 independently of the other 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; 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 according to the established and stored routing path, wherein in response to repeated generation of said at least one of the respectively generated signals, the electronic control circuit repeatedly uses the stored routing path to route each said at least one of the respectively generated signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network, according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of signal generating devices includes at least two of the following: a doorbell generator, a music generator and a pager.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network, according to claim 2, wherein said receiving circuit includes an inwall receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network, according to claim 3, wherein said inwall receiver includes a keypad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An electronically controlled signal routing network, according to claim 3, wherein said inwall receiver includes a circuit for receiving remotely-generated signals.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-08-07 | 1999-02-06 | 1999-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-08-07 | 2003-02-06 | 2003-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-08-07 | 2007-02-06 | 2007-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |