KR102264221B1 - Technique of driving audio speaker for maintaining emergency broadcast against loss of signal therefor in public address system - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a controller for driving an audio speaker of a broadcast output device in a public address system. The disclosed controller includes: a processing unit operable in an emergency broadcasting mode for progressing emergency broadcasting (wherein the processing unit, in the emergency broadcasting mode, is configured to determine whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received); and an output configured to provide an audio signal, as an output signal for driving an audio speaker, including the currently received audible frequency band component of the received input signal, or provide an alternative audio signal, wherein the processing unit, in the emergency broadcasting mode, is configured to store the audio signal to create a recording of the emergency broadcast when it is determined that the received input signal includes a request for recording of an emergency broadcast, and trigger the generation of the replacement audio signal and the provision of the replacement audio signal as an output signal based on whether recording of the emergency broadcast is available for playback when it is determined that no input signal containing any predefined request for action of the controller has been successfully received.

Description

Technique of driving audio speaker to maintain emergency broadcast in case of emergency broadcast signal loss in public address system

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a public address system. More specifically, some embodiments relate to a technique for driving an audio speaker to maintain an emergency broadcast in the event of an emergency broadcast signal loss (eg, due to a problem in the public address line) in a public address system.

A public address (PA) system is installed in an environment such as a building or complex, for example, an apartment complex, a school, a government office, a large building, an airport, a shopping mall, etc., so that the volume or volume that people can hear over a wide area It is configured to transmit a sound (eg, guidance voice, background music, etc.) of In terms of public safety, this system may be required to have the ability to perform emergency broadcasts informing of emergency situations (eg, fire, explosion, flooding, power outage, earthquake, etc.) that have occurred in or around the environment in which it is installed.

Some existing PA systems deal with cases in which an emergency situation worsens after an emergency broadcast is initiated according to the occurrence of an emergency situation. For example, in the Fire Safety Standards for Emergency Broadcasting Facilities (NFSC 202) Article 5, No. 1 of Korea Fire Service Notification No. 2017-1, "Even if the loudspeaker or wiring on one floor is short-circuited or disconnected due to a fire, the Some conventional designs (for example, a speaker line checker device as disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2032353) devised to comply with the regulation of "not to interfere with fire notification" have a public address line connected from an amplifier to a speaker. Keeps the emergency broadcast on the non-problem line while protecting the amplifier against problems such as short circuiting (eg, by disconnecting those connections). Meanwhile, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1868085 discloses, while discussing an emergency broadcasting system, outputting a siren sound through an audio speaker as a way to cope with a situation in which a broadcast output device including an audio speaker cannot receive emergency broadcast data. mention

The present inventor recognized the problem that the emergency broadcast sound having a more specific meaning does not come out from the speaker whose signal transmission is interrupted for reasons such as disconnection of a line for transmitting the emergency broadcast signal despite the emergency situation becoming serious.

Disclosed herein is a technique for driving an audio speaker to maintain an emergency broadcast in the event of an emergency broadcast signal loss in a public address (PA) system.

According to at least one embodiment, the controller for driving the audio speaker to maintain the emergency broadcast against interruption of the input signal for the emergency broadcast in the public address system includes a processing unit operable in the emergency broadcast mode for the progress of the emergency broadcast ( The processing unit is configured to, in the emergency broadcast mode, determine whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received) and drives the audio speaker to emit a sound an output signal configured to provide an audio signal comprising a currently received audible frequency band component of the received input signal, or to provide an alternative audio signal, wherein the processing unit is also configured to: If it is determined that the received input signal contains a request for recording of an emergency broadcast, store the audio signal to create a recording of the emergency broadcast, and any input signal containing any predefined request for action of the controller is successful. and to trigger generation of the replacement audio signal and provision of the replacement audio signal as an output signal, based on whether the recording of the emergency broadcast is available for playback, when it is determined that it is not received as an output signal.

The previous summary is provided to introduce in a simplified form some aspects that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to delineate the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that provide any or all advantages discussed herein.

The public address system according to an embodiment of the present invention provides an input signal having a predetermined characteristic (eg, an inaudible frequency signal) to the controller of the audio speaker side through the speaker line from the amplifier side in case of an emergency situation. It enables the request for recording of emergency broadcast, and even if a problem such as disconnection occurs in the speaker line and the signal for emergency broadcast is cut off, it detects this and plays the recording of the emergency broadcast to maintain the emergency broadcast as faithfully as possible. can

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, by implementing a separate amplifier, a rechargeable battery, etc. in the controller on the audio speaker side of the public address system, the audio speaker is simply passive when the signal for emergency broadcasting is interrupted. By making them behave like active speakers, not passive speakers, it can help keep emergency calls alive.

1 schematically shows a public address (PA) system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram for explaining driving an audio speaker in a PA system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 shows an exemplary configuration of a controller for driving an audio speaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4A and 4B are flow charts illustrating an exemplary process performed by a controller for driving an audio speaker in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 compares and illustrates two cases in which an audio signal is stored and used by a controller for driving an audio speaker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is capable of several embodiments, some of which are disclosed herein. However, these are provided by way of illustration and not limitation of the present invention, and should be understood to cover all modifications, equivalents and substitutions falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Certain details are provided in the following detailed description to aid a comprehensive understanding of a method, apparatus, and/or system in accordance with disclosed embodiments, wherein some embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these details. In addition, detailed descriptions of well-known techniques may be omitted so as not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present invention.

The terms described below are used only to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to be considered in a limiting sense. Expressions in the singular form include the meaning of the plural unless expressly used otherwise. Also, in this document, terms such as "comprise" or "have" are intended to indicate the presence of some feature, number, step, action, element, information, or a combination thereof, one or more other features, It is to be understood as not excluding the presence or possibility of numbers, steps, acts, elements, information, or combinations thereof.

System overview

1 schematically shows a public address (PA) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The exemplary PA system 100 includes a broadcast transmission device 120 , a broadcast reception device 140 , and a broadcast output device 160 .

As illustrated, the broadcast transmission device 120 and the broadcast reception device 140 may be communicatively coupled through the transmission medium 130 . Although one broadcast receiving device 140 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for convenience, in some embodiments, there may be two or more broadcast receiving devices coupled to the broadcast transmitting device 120 . Also, by way of example, each such coupling may correspond to a separate transmission medium. As illustrated, the broadcast reception device 140 and the broadcast output device 160 may be communicatively coupled through the transmission medium 150 . Although one broadcast output device 160 is illustrated in FIG. 1 for convenience, in some embodiments, there may be two or more broadcast output devices coupled to the broadcast reception device 140 . Also, by way of example, each such coupling may correspond to a separate transmission medium. In an embodiment, each transmission medium (eg, transmission media 130 , 150 ) is a wired transmission medium (eg, a transmission line, a telephone line, a twisted pair line) , coaxial cable, optical fiber, etc.), a wireless transmission medium (eg, RF for a wireless network, electromagnetic wave for wireless communication, etc.), or a combination thereof.

For example, the broadcast reception device 140 may be disposed in a control room or a computer room of a building, and each broadcast output device (eg, the broadcast output device 160 ) coupled to the broadcast reception device 140 is installed in each building of the building. It can be installed on the floor. The broadcast transmitting device 120 may be coupled to a plurality of broadcast receiving devices including the broadcast receiving device 140 to communicate with and control them. The broadcast transmitting devices 120 may be located within the same building in which they are located, or may be located remote from them.

In an embodiment, the broadcast transmitting device 120 is configured to transmit data in any format (which may be referred to as “sound source data” hereinafter) including audio data derived from a broadcast sound source to the broadcast receiving device 140 . . Examples of the broadcast sound source include a microphone remote from the broadcast receiving device 140 (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a “remote microphone” (RM)), a compact disc player (CDP), and text-to-speech (Text). -To-Speech: TTS) synthesizer and so on. For example, the broadcast transmitting device 120 may transmit the sound source data to the broadcast receiving device 140 in a streaming manner regardless of the type/type of the sound source. In addition, the broadcast transmission device 120 may transmit the sound source data by including information indicating the type of the sound source in the sound source data (eg, in a header portion of the sound source data) in addition to the audio data from the sound source.

In an embodiment, the broadcast transmission device 120 may provide a user interface for user interaction with a specific sound source. For example, the user interface may receive user input for performing some interaction, which may cause audio data to be provided from a sound source to the broadcast transmission device 120 , or audio data and other data portions (eg, , header part) may be provided. For example, in response to the user interface receiving a user input for selecting an audio track recorded on a CD inserted in the CDP, the broadcast transmission device 120 may obtain sound source data including data of the audio track. have. In another example, in response to the user interface receiving a user input for a speech on the RM, the broadcast transmission device 120 obtains sound source data including audio data generated from the sound input to the RM. can In another example, in response to the user interface receiving a user input for entering a phrase into the TTS synthesizer, the broadcast transmitting device 120 may obtain sound source data including audio data generated from the phrase by the TTS synthesizer. can The sound source data obtained in this way may be transmitted from the broadcast transmission device 120 to the broadcast reception device 140 through the transmission medium 130 .

In an embodiment, the broadcast reception device 140 has a normal broadcast mode and an emergency broadcast mode. Under the general broadcasting mode, the broadcast receiving device 140 has an emergency situation (eg, fire, power outage, flooding, or other types of accidents in the building in which the broadcast receiving device 140 and the broadcast output device 160 are located). It is configured to continuously check whether or not it has been done, and to operate in a different way depending on whether an emergency situation occurs. For example, in a normal situation, the broadcast reception device 140 may transmit audio data in sound source data received from the broadcast transmission device 120 to the broadcast output device 160 for general broadcasting. In an emergency situation, the broadcast receiving device 140 enters the emergency broadcast mode and outputs audio data for emergency broadcast according to the emergency broadcast process (eg, the process as presented in Korean Patent No. 10-1868085) to the broadcast output device ( 160), and when the emergency situation is resolved while emergency broadcasting is being performed, the emergency broadcasting mode can be exited from the emergency broadcasting mode to the general broadcasting mode.

In an embodiment, the broadcast reception device 140 includes at least one broadcast processing device 142 to receive audio data and transmit it to the broadcast output device 160 . For example, the broadcast processing unit 142 may be at least one of an amplifier (e.g., which may be physically separate from or integrated with each other), a relay device, an additional signal generator, and another type of broadcast processing unit. . In an embodiment, the amplifier may receive a signal representing audio data, amplify it to a speaker level (eg, about 50V to about 100V) and output it. In an embodiment, an audio signal amplified by an amplifier may be input to the relay device. The relay device may relay an input audio signal to one or more speakers coupled thereto (eg, an audio speaker of the broadcast output device 160 ). (For example, in such a way that the speaker line checker function as disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 10-2032353 is implemented in the relay device) The relay of the audio signal to each speaker is enabled according to the relay control signal provided to the relay device. (enable) or may be disabled (disabled). For example, in response to receiving a particular relay control signal, the relay device may enable or disable relaying one of several input audio signals of the relay device to at least one of several speakers coupled to the relay device. . In an embodiment, the additional signal generator may generate an additional signal for combination with an audio signal, such as non-audio that represents and/or powers data other than audio data, as will be described below. It may be a (non-audio) signal. For example, this signal may be input to an amplifier in addition to a signal representing audio data, or may be input to another apparatus (eg, a relay device) in addition to an amplified signal output from the amplifier.

In an embodiment, the broadcast output device 160 includes an audio speaker that outputs a sound according to input audio data. For example, the audio speaker of the broadcast output device 160 may output a sound according to an input audio signal transmitted from the broadcast reception device 140 for an emergency broadcast notifying an emergency situation. The broadcast receiving device 140 transmits, as such an input audio signal, a sound source data part received by the broadcast receiving device 140 or a predefined audio dataset stored in the broadcast receiving device 140 for emergency broadcasting to a broadcast output device ( 160) can be provided. For example, the broadcast receiving device 140 enters an emergency broadcast mode in response to receiving sound source data including audio data derived from a specific sound source from the broadcast transmitting device 120 , and is transmitted by the broadcast receiving device 140 . The received audio data may be transmitted to the broadcast output device 160 . As another example, the broadcast reception device 140 enters the emergency broadcast mode in response to receiving a signal indicating the result of the detection from the device that has detected the occurrence of the emergency situation, and enters a predefined preset stored in the broadcast reception device 140 . The audio data set may be transmitted to the broadcast output device 160 . However, since the sound source data comes from a sound source that can be directly manipulated by the manager, the reception of the sound source data can be prioritized over the reception of the detection signal in an emergency situation (that is, a predefined audio data set is broadcast output device ( 160), the broadcast reception device 140 may stop transmitting the former and start transmitting the latter to the broadcast output device 160).

Loudspeaker drive mechanism to maintain emergency broadcast even in the event of loss of emergency broadcast signal

Furthermore, in the exemplary PA system 100, when an error occurs in the transmission of audio data from the broadcast receiving device 140 to the broadcast output device 160 during an emergency broadcast (eg, the transmission medium 150 is disconnected or an abnormality occurs) In the event that the broadcast receiving device 140 breaks down, an abnormality occurs, or audio data transmission is stopped, etc.), despite such a worsening situation, by sending a recorded version of the emergency broadcast that was being broadcast before You can continue to report an emergency.

Referring to FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the broadcast receiving apparatus 140 of the PA system 100 includes an amplifier 210 , a relay device 220 and an additional signal generator 230 as a broadcast processing apparatus 142 . do. Also, in some embodiments, the broadcast output device 160 of the PA system 100 includes a controller 260 and an audio speaker 270 , which may be physically separate from each other or may be integrated. Similar to the broadcast receiving device 140, the controller 260 (eg, a unit included in the controller 260, such as the processing unit 322 of FIG. 3) is configured in an emergency broadcasting mode in which emergency broadcasting is performed and general broadcasting in progress. It may have a general broadcast mode as an operation mode, which are switchable with each other. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the transmission medium 150 connected between the broadcast receiving device 140 and the broadcast output device 160 is connected between the relay device 220 ) and the controller 260 , such as a speaker line 250 for a PA. wired transmission media.

In an embodiment, an additional signal generator 230 is provided at the output of the amplifier 210, or at the output of the amplifier 210, to cause the input of the relay device 220 (and the input of the controller 260 if it is relayed) to have a predetermined characteristic. Provision is made to apply an additional signal (eg, a non-audio signal) to the input of 210 . The additional signal generator 230 provides such additional signals as needed, eg, in response to an event, and/or once or repeatedly (eg, periodically and/or continuously over a period of time) at a particular point in time. can do.

In an embodiment, the signal applied by the additional signal generator 230 may include a request for operation of the controller 260 of the broadcast output device 160 (ie, indicating the desired operation of the controller 260 ). have. As an example, based on a result of at least one determination, such as a determination as to whether an emergency situation has occurred (eg, made by the broadcast receiving device 140 ) or a user (eg, received at the broadcast receiving device 140 ) Depending on the input, the additional signal generator 230 may provide a signal comprising at least one of a plurality of predefined requests (eg, as illustrated below) for operation of the controller 260 . These predefined requests may include requests for actions to be performed by the controller 260 in any mode of operation (eg, whether in an emergency broadcast mode or a normal broadcast mode).

Then, in an embodiment, the characteristic of the input of the relay device 220 may be determined according to a request included in the signal applied by the additional signal generator 230 , and the input of the relay device 220 may also include such a request. can For example, the characteristic of the input of the relay device 220 may include a frequency component of an inaudible frequency band. To this end, as shown in FIG. 2 , given some predefined request for operation of the controller 230 , the additional signal generator 230 sends a corresponding inaudible frequency signal to the input of the amplifier 210 or It may be configured to add to the output of the amplifier 210 . Additionally or alternatively, the additional signal generator 230 determines that a characteristic of the input of the relay device 220 is a component of the signal (eg, a specific frequency band, such as an inaudible frequency band, or a component of a specific frequency, such as an inaudible frequency). Signals that include amplitude, level, average power, phase and/or other characteristics may be applied to the input of the amplifier 210 or to the output of the amplifier 210 .

For purposes of illustration, assume that the additional signal generator 230 generates a signal component having a predetermined inaudible frequency corresponding to a given predefined request to provide the inaudible signal. If the current relay device 220 enables relaying of the signal through the line 250 to the controller 260 for driving the speaker 270 in response to receiving a certain signal, the broadcast output device 160 The controller 260 may detect an inaudible frequency component of the input signal received from the relay device 220 and perform a specific operation according to the detected frequency. An example of the above-described inaudible signal may be as follows: the additional signal generator 230, in response to the broadcast receiving device 140 entering the emergency broadcast mode, initiates the emergency broadcast mode in the controller 260 be able to provide a signal with an inaudible frequency component (which may be referred to as an "emergency broadcast mode start frequency" hereinafter) requesting a; The additional signal generator 230 repeatedly generates an inaudible frequency component requesting continuation of the emergency broadcast mode in the controller 260 while the broadcast receiving device 140 is in the emergency broadcast mode (hereinafter referred to as “emergency broadcast mode continuation”). frequency"); The additional signal generator 230, in response to the broadcast receiving device 140 leaving the emergency broadcast mode, is an inaudible frequency component requesting the end of the emergency broadcast mode in the controller 260 (hereinafter referred to as "end of emergency broadcast mode"). frequency"); The additional signal generator 230 is, at some point in the emergency broadcast mode of the broadcast receiving device 140 (eg, following the entry into the emergency broadcast mode), an inaudible frequency that requests emergency broadcast recording from the controller 260 . capable of providing a signal having a component (which may also be referred to as an "emergency broadcast recording request frequency" hereinafter); The additional signal generator 230 may be configured at some point in the emergency broadcast mode (eg, following entry into the emergency broadcast mode) and/or at some point in the normal broadcast mode of the broadcast receiving device 140 (eg periodically or in response to the event), may provide a signal having an inaudible frequency component (which may be referred to as a “battery charge request frequency” hereinafter) requesting a reserve of power for driving the controller 260; and/or the like.

It should be noted that, in this example, some inaudible frequency signals may include other requests in addition to their respective aforementioned requests. For example, the emergency broadcast recording request frequency itself may indicate not only a request for recording of an emergency broadcast, but also a request for continuation of the emergency broadcast mode in the controller 260 like the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency. Similarly, once the recording of the emergency broadcast has already started in the controller 260, it can be seen that the signal with the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency further includes a request for such recording. As another example, the signal having the emergency broadcast mode start frequency may further include a request for power reserve for emergency broadcast.

Additionally or alternatively, it should be noted that two or more of these inaudible signals may be simultaneously provided from the additional signal generator 230 . For example, the signal component of the emergency broadcast recording request frequency may always be provided from the additional signal generator 230 together with the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency.

Additionally or alternatively, it should be noted that some of the aforementioned inaudible frequencies may be identical to each other. For example, the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency may be the same as the emergency broadcast mode start frequency. As another example, the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency and/or the emergency broadcast mode start frequency may be the same as the emergency broadcast recording request frequency (the request for continuation of the emergency broadcast mode and/or the request for the start of the emergency broadcast mode may be Of course, it may also indicate a request for a request for recording of an emergency broadcast).

Further, in this example, the additional signal generator 230 may generate and provide an inaudible signal having a signal component of the battery charge request frequency as a power signal for supply of driving power of the controller 260 . In other words, this inaudible signal may not only indicate that the controller 260 is requested to store the driving power, but also transmit power to the controller 260 . For example, an audio signal of a high voltage (eg, a speaker level of about 100V) is transmitted from the broadcast processing device 142 through the line 250 for the PA (eg, over a long distance such as several tens of meters or more) (eg, dozens of When the PA system 100 is implemented to be transmitted to the controller 260 (each of the large number of broadcast output devices 160 as described above), the additional signal generator 230 may generate a battery charge request frequency (eg, about 15 Hz to about 15 Hz to An alternating current (AC) power signal including an inaudible frequency of about 20 Hz) may be provided, and the controller 260 may charge an internal battery from the received power signal to reserve driving power. As another example, the additional signal generator 230 may include a power signal (eg, other than the PA speaker line 250 ) including a frequency component independent of the battery charge request frequency to store driving power of the controller 260 . It may also provide a direct current (DC) power signal (which may be a direct current (DC) power signal) if transmission over another type of wired transmission medium is desired.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an exemplary configuration of the controller 260 for driving the audio speaker 270 is described. In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , the controller 260 includes various units, for example, an input unit 301 , an output unit 302 , an audio signal extraction unit 311 , an amplifier 330 , and a control signal extraction unit. 312 , a storage unit 321 , and a processing unit 322 may be included. In addition, the controller 260 includes a battery 341 , a power supply 343 and a power management unit 342 in relation to powering for driving some units of the controller 260 (eg, the amplifier 330 ). ) may be further included. Although not shown, in some exemplary implementations, the controller 260 is a broadcast processing device 142 electrically coupled to the primary side (eg, a high-impedance output terminal (High-impedance output terminal) to which a boosted signal for long-distance transmission is output. A matching transformer for impedance matching between an amplifier 210 such as a power amplifier having a Z output terminal) and an audio speaker 270 electrically coupled to the secondary side (eg, a passive speaker). matching transformer) (eg, in the input unit 301 ). Also, in some example implementations, the amplifier 330 may not account for long-distance transmission to and/or coupling with various audio speakers other than the audio speaker 270 . For example, the amplifier 330 may have a lower output impedance compared to the amplifier 210 (eg, less than the impedance of the audio speaker 270 itself), and may have a lower power (eg, a power of rated input 1W, 3W, or 5W). , audio speaker 270 or less of the allowed input power of itself), and thus may be suitable to be driven at least in the emergency broadcasting mode only with the power stored in the battery 341 .

In an embodiment, the input unit 301 is configured for interfacing with the broadcast processing device 142 (eg, the relay device 220 ). For example, the input unit 301 may receive an input signal for PA broadcasting (eg, emergency broadcasting) from the broadcast processing device 142 (eg, the relay device 220 ) in the PA system 100 , and receive It may include an input interface for providing the input signal to the audio signal extractor 311 and the control signal extractor 312 . Additionally, as described above, the input unit 301 may include a matching transformer. This matching transformer may be configured for impedance matching with an audio speaker 270 and a broadcast processing device 142 (eg, amplifier 210 ) electrically coupled to its primary and secondary sides, respectively, on the primary side. The input signal may be applied to the level boosted by the broadcast processing device 142, and the input signal of the reduced level may be induced in the secondary side. In some exemplary implementations, the audio signal extraction unit 311 may be electrically coupled between the secondary side of the matching transformer and the audio speaker 270 , so that the decompressed input signal may be introduced into the audio signal extraction unit 311 . In addition, there may be an implementation in which the decompressed input signal is introduced into the control signal extractor 312 as well as the audio signal extractor 311 .

In an embodiment, the output 302 is configured for interfacing with an audio speaker 270 . For example, the output unit 302 may include a signal provided from the audio signal extraction unit 311 (hereinafter may also be referred to as a “first audio signal”) or any amplified signal provided from the amplifier 330 (hereinafter referred to as a “first audio signal”). may include an output interface for selecting and providing one of the "second audio signals") as an output signal for driving the audio speaker 270 .

In an embodiment, the audio signal extraction unit 311 is configured to provide a first audio signal in response to an input signal received at the input unit 301 . The first audio signal may include, as a currently received audio signal component of the input signal, an audible frequency band component for driving the audio speaker 270 to emit sound. For example, the audio signal extraction unit 311 is a first filter configured to generate the first audio signal by filtering out the inaudible frequency band component of the received input signal and extracting the audible frequency band component of the input signal. (not shown) may be included. Additionally. The audio signal extraction unit 311 may include a bypass switch (not shown), which (eg, deactivated in the absence of driving power of the controller 260 ) via the input unit 301 . It may be configured to cause the received input signal to bypass the first filter and be provided to the output 302 (eg, with the first audio signal intact without any processing).

In an embodiment, the amplifier 330 may amplify the applied non-amplified audio signal to output the second audio signal. Further, in an embodiment, the power to drive the controller 260 is from a rechargeable battery 341 (which may be coupled to other units of the controller 260 , such as all remaining units of the controller 260 ). may be provided. The battery 341 may be charged in advance by the power supply 343 . For example, the power supply 343 is an AC/DC converter (which includes, for example, a rectification circuit and a smoothing circuit) for converting a given AC power to DC power. The AC power may be contained in a power signal in the received input signal (eg, an inaudible signal having a voltage at speaker level as described above). Accordingly, even if there is no separate power line around the speaker 270 , driving power may be supplied to the controller 260 . Of course, in some cases, AC power may be supplied from the external power source 390, but this is optional. As another example, the power supply 343 may be configured to charge the battery 341 with DC power. Further, in an embodiment, the power manager 342 (eg, according to signaling from the processing unit 322 or based on other criteria) controls and manages the battery 341 and/or the power supply 343 ) can send a trigger signal: charging the battery 341 with the power delivered to the power supply 343 ; powering a unit such as amplifier 330 from battery 341 ; and/or the like.

In an embodiment, the output signal of the controller 260 may be the first audio signal in normal times, and may be the second audio signal only under specific conditions. For example, under such a condition, the controller 260 operates in the emergency broadcast mode, but the transmission of the emergency broadcast signal through the line 250 (eg, the line 250 is physically disconnected due to the serious development of an emergency situation, that the speaker line checker function of the relay device 220 is impossible (for reasons of logical disconnection of the line 250 by disabling the signal relay on the line 250 in advance against the short circuit of the line 250 , etc.) can Hereinafter, how the controller 260 operates to provide an output signal (in particular, even if a problem (eg, disconnection) occurs in the line 250 in the PA system 100 ), the controller 260 to maintain the emergency broadcast as much as possible. How to drive the audio speaker 270 of the broadcast output device 160) is further described.

In an embodiment, the control signal extraction unit 312 generates a control signal corresponding to a predefined request for operation of the controller 260 (which is included in the input signal) in response to the input signal received at the input unit 301 . and generate from a received input signal. The generated control signal is input to a processing unit 322 , as will be described in more detail below, in some units of the controller 320 (eg, the output unit 302 , the processing unit 322 , the amplifier 330 , the power may be used to trigger an operation of the management unit 342, etc.).

In an embodiment, the control signal extraction unit 312 determines that the characteristics of the input signal (which include, for example, a predetermined frequency component within an inaudible frequency band) are selected from among a plurality of predefined requests for operation of the controller 260 . It is possible to detect that it corresponds to something and generate a control signal based on the detected characteristic. Accordingly, the control signal can be generated as a signal corresponding to the detected characteristic. For example, when it is predetermined to provide an input signal having a corresponding frequency component within an inaudible frequency band to the controller 260 in order to send a request for a specific operation to the controller 260 , the control signal extraction unit 312 may a second filter (not shown) configured to filter the audible frequency band component of the input signal to extract the inaudible frequency band component of the input signal, and a frequency detector configured to detect a predetermined inaudible frequency component within the inaudible frequency band component (not shown) may be implemented to include.

In some example implementations, as described above, an inaudible frequency (eg, battery charge request frequency) component included in the input signal may serve as a power signal. Power carried in this signal may be supplied to the power supply unit 343 by the control signal extraction unit 312 . For example, the additional signal generator 230 may periodically (eg, every 24 hours) or in response to an event (eg, the charge rate of the battery 341 is below a threshold) an AC power signal at an inaudible frequency to the controller 260 . ), and the control signal extraction unit 312 extracts a power signal from the input signal using an internal filter (eg, the second filter described above) and supplies the extracted power signal to the power supply unit 343 . can provide

In an embodiment, the processing unit 322 is operable in a plurality of operation modes including an emergency broadcast mode and a normal broadcast mode. For example, the processing unit 322 may operate as follows in the general broadcast mode:

- The processing unit 322 may receive the control signal generated by the control signal extraction unit 312 from the control signal extraction unit 312 .

- If the received control signal corresponds to a request for initiation of the emergency broadcasting mode, the processing unit 322 may switch from the normal broadcasting mode to the emergency broadcasting mode.

- If the received control signal corresponds to a request for storage of driving power of the controller 260 , the processing unit 322 may transmit a trigger signal related to charging of the battery 341 to the power management unit 342 . . In accordance with this signaling from the processing unit 322 , the power management unit 342 causes the power supply 343 to start charging the battery 341 with the given power signal and/or to change the rate of charging of the battery 341 . can make it

- The processing unit 322 may trigger the amplifier 330 to remain disabled. (As long as the amplifier 330 is disabled, the audio speaker 270 may still operate as a passive speaker even when combined with the controller 260.) In addition, the processing unit 322 includes the output unit 302 ) may trigger to output the first audio signal instead of the second audio signal.

In addition, the processing unit 322 may operate for emergency broadcasting as follows in the emergency broadcasting mode:

- The processing unit 322, for the progress of the emergency broadcast, any input signal including any predefined request for the operation of the controller 260 from the broadcast processing device 142 in the controller 260 successfully It can be determined (eg, iteratively) whether it is received. (On the other hand, such a determination may not be performed in the normal broadcast mode.) In the embodiment, this determination made in the emergency broadcast mode may be regarded as a determination as to whether or not the signal for the emergency broadcast has been interrupted. If it is determined that no input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller 260 has been successfully received, the processing unit 322 triggers generation of a second audio signal, as described below, and outputs It may trigger the provision of a second audio signal as an output signal of the unit 302 . Otherwise, the processing unit 322 determines that the input signal corresponds to which of a plurality of predefined requests for operation of the controller 260 (eg, as described below) the received control signal corresponds to. It may determine which of a plurality of predefined requests for operation of 260 , act based on the determination, and continue to provide the first audio signal as an output signal from the output 302 .

- The processing unit 322 may trigger the amplifier 330 to be enabled at a predetermined time point (eg, the time point of entering the emergency broadcast mode). Once amplifier 330 is enabled, the combination of audio speaker 270 and controller 260 can now be viewed as an active speaker.

- The processing unit 322 may receive the control signal as described above from the control signal extraction unit 312 .

- If the control signal corresponds to the request to maintain the emergency broadcast mode, the processing unit 322 may continue to operate in the emergency broadcast mode. If the control signal corresponds to a request for termination of the emergency broadcasting mode, the processing unit 322 may end the emergency broadcasting mode and switch to another operation mode (eg, a general broadcasting mode).

- If the control signal corresponds to a request for storage of driving power of the controller 260, the processing unit 322 sends the power management unit 342 to the charging of the battery 341 as described above with respect to the general broadcast mode. A trigger signal can be transmitted.

- If the received control signal corresponds to a request for recording an emergency broadcast, the processing unit 322 receives the first audio signal provided by the audio signal extraction unit 311 and uses it (eg, the storage unit 321 ). ) to create a recording of the emergency broadcast for later playback. For example, the recording of an emergency broadcast may have the format of an audio file. In some embodiments, to store the first audio signal, the processing unit 322 may be configured to temporarily preserve a portion of the first audio signal and then store that portion in combination with an already stored portion of the first audio signal. can For example, the processing unit 322 may cache the newly received portion of the first audio signal (eg, in a cache memory of the processing unit 322 ) according to a given caching strategy, and flush the given cache. ), such a cached portion may be flushed (eg, stored in the storage 321 ) later according to scheduling.

- if it is determined that no input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller 260 has been successfully received (that is, if it is determined that the signal for the emergency broadcast is lost), the processing unit ( 322 ) is configured to trigger generation of the second audio signal based on whether a recording of the emergency broadcast is available for playback. The second audio signal may include an audible frequency band component for driving the audio speaker 270 to emit a subsequent sound for emergency broadcast. For example, upon determining that the emergency broadcast signal is disrupted, the processing unit 322 may either from a recording of the current version of the emergency broadcast if it is available for playback, or otherwise (eg, stored in storage 321 ). from a pre-recorded alarm sound, such as a simple notification sound indicating only the occurrence of an emergency situation without details of the emergency situation (such as a voice saying “an emergency has occurred”) or other pre-recorded alarm tones (such as a siren); It can generate a non-amplified signal. In addition, the processing unit 322 may send a trigger signal to the amplifier 330 and the output unit 302 while applying the generated non-amplified signal to the amplifier 330 , respectively, and the amplifier 330 is a second audio signal and the output 302 may be triggered to provide a second audio signal as an output signal rather than the first audio signal.

- By way of example, the processing unit 322 determines whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller 260 is successfully received (i.e., the emergency broadcast signal is interrupted) as follows: can be determined in this way: the processing unit 322 receives any control signal corresponding to any predefined request for the operation of the controller 260 from the control signal extraction unit 312 in the processing unit 322 . can be determined iteratively. If no control signal is received corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller 260, then over a period of time of a specified length of time (eg, 5 seconds) or consecutively a specified number of times (eg, 10). If it is determined, the processing unit 322 may determine that no input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller 260 has been successfully received (ie, the emergency broadcast signal has been lost) and , it may also trigger the output unit 302 to output the second audio signal instead of the first audio signal. Between any two of such iterative determinations, the processing unit 322 processes the newly received portion of the first audio signal separately from the previously stored portion of the first audio signal (eg, stored in the storage 321 ). While caching (eg, in the cache memory of the processing unit 322 ), it is possible to prevent such cached portions from being flushed (eg, to be stored in the storage unit 321 ). Then, when it is later determined that the emergency broadcast signal is lost, the processing unit 322 may not flush the cached portion and it may be simple not to reflect that portion in the recording of the emergency broadcast in the end. In the exemplary implementation, in order to ensure the reliability of the controller 260 , the determination that the emergency broadcast signal is interrupted (relatively specifically, stopping the output of the first audio signal for informing an emergency situation and playing a recording or emitting an alarm sound) It needs to be done on the basis of sufficient deliberation (e.g., the length of time described above is non-negligible, and/or the specific number of times described above is quite large), since it results in the output of a second audio signal that is only for As above, the cached portion with the storage or flushing operation restrained during such deliberation will lead to a meaningless sound (as long as sufficient deliberation) even if it is reproduced when the emergency broadcast signal is interrupted, so it may be advantageous to exclude it from the recording of the emergency broadcast. . On the other hand, if the determination that no control signal is received corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller 260 is made over a time interval of a specified length of time (eg, 5 seconds) or a specified number of times (eg, 10 times), the processing unit 322 may determine that the emergency broadcast signal is not interrupted. In this case, the already cached but not flushed portion of the first audio signal may be flushed in subsequent storage of the first audio signal.

- For example, the processing unit 322 may determine whether a recording of the emergency broadcast is available for playback based on: the time required for one playback of the recording of the emergency broadcast (eg, as a recording of the emergency broadcast) how long the total play time of the stored audio file is or is that time greater than or equal to a threshold time such as about 1 minute to about 5 minutes); when the recording of the emergency broadcast was last updated (eg, how much time has elapsed since the most recent version of the recording of the emergency broadcast was created or whether that time is greater than or equal to a threshold time, such as from about 1 minute to about 5 minutes); Whether the recording of the emergency broadcast is suitable as human speech (e.g., how long it is expected that human speech will be heard during one playback of the recording of the emergency broadcast, or such time is between about 1 minute and about 5 minutes. over the threshold time); and/or how intact the recording of the emergency broadcast is (eg, whether the audio file stored as the recording of the emergency broadcast is corrupted).

In an embodiment, the processing unit 322 may be implemented on a hardware processor. For example, the processing unit 322 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor core, a microprocessor, and a microcontroller. , a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), other hardware and logic circuitry, or any suitable combination thereof.

In an embodiment, processing unit 322 is communicatively coupled with storage 321 , which storage 321 includes read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM). ), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, removable memory, non-removable memory, flash memory, other storage devices and storage media, or any thereof may include a suitable combination of The storage 321 contains information, data, instructions, etc., for use in the processing unit 310 , for example, data readable by the processing unit 310 (eg, a first audio signal) and/or by the processing unit 310 . Executable instructions (eg, instructions for performing some of the operations illustrated herein) may be stored therein.

Another example showing how the controller 260 operates is presented in FIGS. 4A and 4B . The process 400 illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B is a controller 260 (eg, processing unit 322 ) for driving an audio speaker 270 of a broadcast output device 160 in the exemplary PA system 100 . can be performed by It should be noted that process 400 of FIGS. 4A and 4B is provided by way of example only, and in some other embodiments some of the operations of process 400 may be omitted and/or other operations may be added. In this example, the input signal of the controller 260 includes an audio component of an audible frequency band to serve as the first audio signal, plus an inaudible frequency corresponding to a predefined request for an operation of the controller 260 related to the emergency broadcast. As characteristics, the above-described emergency broadcast mode start frequency, emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency (eg, the same as emergency broadcast mode start frequency), emergency broadcast mode end frequency, emergency broadcast recording request frequency, and battery charge request frequency (eg, the controller 260) ) included in the AC power signal for supplying driving power of )). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this point.

In operation 401 , the processing unit 322 enters a general broadcasting mode. In operation 403 , the processing unit 322 receives a control signal from the control signal extraction unit 312 .

In operation 405, the processing unit 322 determines whether the received control signal corresponds to an emergency broadcast mode start frequency.

If it is determined that the control signal does not correspond to the emergency broadcast mode start frequency, in operation 407 , the processing unit 322 determines whether the control signal corresponds to the battery charge request frequency. If it is determined that the control signal does not correspond to the battery charge request frequency, process 400 continues to operation 403 . When it is determined that the control signal corresponds to the battery charging request frequency, in operation 409 , the processing unit 322 transmits a trigger signal related to control of charging of the battery 341 to the power management unit 342 . In some example implementations, the power supply 343 starts charging the battery 341 (eg, at a low speed) with the power signal once it receives the power signal of the battery charge request frequency, and the power management unit 342 is configured to the processing unit. When the trigger signal as above is received from the 322 , the power supply 343 may change (eg, increase) the charging speed of the battery 341 .

If it is determined that the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast mode start frequency, in operation 411 , the processing unit 322 enters the emergency broadcast mode. Subsequently, in operation 413 , the processing unit 322 resets a timer to an initial time value and resets a counter to an initial count value. Also, in operation 415 , the processing unit 322 receives a control signal from the control signal extraction unit 312 .

In operation 417, the processing unit 322 determines whether the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast recording request frequency.

If it is determined that the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast recording request frequency, in operation 419 , the processing unit 322 stores the first audio signal in the storage 321 to generate a recording of the current version of the emergency broadcast. Process 400 then continues to operation 413 .

If it is determined that the control signal does not correspond to the emergency broadcast recording request frequency, in operation 421, it is determined whether the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency.

If it is determined that the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency, in operation 423, the processing unit 322 determines whether recording of the emergency broadcast has already started. If it is determined that the recording of the emergency broadcast has already started, in operation 419, the processing unit 322 continues to store the first audio signal in the storage 321 to record (ie, update) a new current version of the emergency broadcast. recorded recording). As schematically illustrated in diagram 520 of FIG. 5 , this version of the recording includes an already stored portion of the first audio signal (which may also include a portion that is first cached and then flushed) and a portion of the first audio signal. Contains the newly received part. Process 400 then continues to operation 413 . If it is determined that recording of the emergency broadcast has not yet been initiated, process 400 continues to operation 413 .

If it is determined that the control signal does not correspond to the emergency broadcast mode continuation frequency, in operation 425 , the processing unit 322 determines whether the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast mode end frequency. If it is determined that the control signal corresponds to the emergency broadcast mode end frequency, process 400 continues to operation 401 . If it is determined that the control signal does not correspond to the emergency broadcast mode end frequency, in operation 427, the processing unit 322 increments the counter. Then, in operation 429, it is determined whether the timer has reached a threshold time value or the counter has reached a threshold count value.

If it is determined that the timer has not reached the threshold time value and the counter has not reached the threshold count value, in operation 431, the processing unit 322 converts the newly received portion of the first audio signal to the previously stored portion of the first audio signal. It is cached in the cache of the processing unit 322 separately from the portion, so that the separately cached portion is not flushed. In other words, the recording of the current version of the emergency broadcast is not changed. Process 400 then continues to operation 413 .

If it is determined that the timer has reached the threshold time value or the counter has reached the threshold count value, in operation 433, the processing unit 322 records a current version of the emergency broadcast (ie, an already stored portion of the first audio signal). It is determined whether it is available for playback. If it is determined that the previously stored portion of the first audio signal is available for playback, in operation 435 , the processing unit 322 uses the portion to generate a second audio signal for driving the audio speaker 270 . trigger, and trigger the provision of a second audio signal as an output signal. Operation 435 is schematically illustrated in scheme 510 of FIG. 5 . If it is determined that the previously stored portion of the first audio signal is not available for playback, in operation 437 , the processing unit 322 uses a stored alarm tone separate from that portion for driving the audio speaker 270 . trigger generation of the second audio signal, and trigger provision of the second audio signal as an output signal.

The following relates to further embodiments of the present invention.

Example 1 relates to a controller for driving an audio speaker in a public address (PA) system, wherein the controller is a processing unit operable in an emergency broadcasting mode for the progress of an emergency broadcasting (the processing unit, in the emergency broadcasting mode) , configured to determine whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller has been successfully received), and an output signal for driving the audio speaker to emit sound. , an output unit configured to provide an audio signal comprising a currently received audible frequency band component of the received input signal, or otherwise provide another audio signal, wherein the processing unit is also configured to: If it is determined that the signal includes a request for recording of the emergency broadcast, store the audio signal to generate the recording, and any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller successfully and trigger generation of the other audio signal and provision of the other audio signal as the output signal, based on whether or not the recording is available for playback when it is determined that it is not received.

Example 2 includes the subject matter of Example 1, wherein the controller further comprises an audio signal extraction unit configured to extract the audio signal from the received input signal.

Example 3 includes the subject matter of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the controller further comprises an amplifier configured to generate the other audio signal by amplifying the applied non-amplified signal, wherein the controller triggers generation of the other audio signal. This includes generating the above non-amplified signal from the above recording when the above recording is available for playback, and applying the generated non-amplifying signal to the above amplifier.

Example 4 includes the subject matter of Example 3, wherein triggering the generation of the other audio signal further comprises generating the non-amplified signal from the pre-recorded alarm tone when the recording is not available for playback. .

Example 5 includes the subject matter of Examples 3 or 4, wherein the output power of the amplifier is less than or equal to the allowed input power of the audio speaker.

Example 6 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 3-5, wherein the controller further comprises a matching transformer, wherein the matching transformer comprises an external amplifier having a higher output power than the amplifier and the audio speaker, respectively It is electrically coupled to the primary and secondary sides of the matching transformer and configured for impedance matching between the external amplifier and the audio speaker, and the input signal is applied to the primary side at a level boosted by the external amplifier, On the secondary side, the input signal is decompressed and induced.

Example 7 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-6, wherein if the processing unit further determines that no input signal comprising any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received; and determine whether the recording is available for playback based on at least one of a time required for one-time playback of the recording and a time elapsed from a last update of the recording.

Example 8 includes the subject matter of Example 7, wherein the determination as to whether the recording is available for playback comprises at least the amount of time a human utterance is expected to be heard during one playback of the recording and the degree of damage to the recording. Also based on one.

Example 9 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-8, wherein the controller further comprises a control signal extraction unit configured to generate a control signal from the received input signal, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: , by receiving the generated control signal from the control signal extracting unit, and determining which of the plurality of predefined requests for the operation of the controller the control signal corresponds to, the received input signal is and determine which of the requested requests it contains.

Example 10 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-9, wherein the plurality of predefined requests includes the request for the recording, and optionally, the request for initiation of the emergency broadcast mode, the emergency It further includes or excludes at least one of a request for continuation of the broadcast mode, a request for termination of the emergency broadcast mode, and a request for power storage for driving the controller.

Example 11 includes the subject matter of Examples 9 or 10, wherein generating the control signal comprises: detecting that a characteristic of the input signal corresponds to the predefined request; and generating the control signal based on the detected characteristic. includes creating

Example 12 includes the subject matter of example 11, wherein the characteristic includes a predetermined frequency component within the inaudible frequency band.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 9-12, wherein determining whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received comprises: and iteratively determining whether any control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller is received from the extraction unit.

Example 14 includes the subject matter of Example 13, wherein determining whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received comprises: including any predefined request for operation of the above controller in response to determining that no control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation has been received, over a period of time of a specified length or a specified number of times in succession; and determining that no input signal has been successfully received.

Example 15 includes the subject matter of Examples 13 or 14, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: between any two of the iterative determinations, process the newly received portion of the audio signal separately from the previously stored portion of the audio signal. It is configured to cache.

Example 16 includes the subject matter of Example 15, wherein the processing unit is further configured to prevent the cached portion from being flushed between any two of the iterative determinations.

Example 17 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-16, wherein storing the audio signal to generate a recording of the emergency broadcast comprises: a newly received portion of the audio signal, and a previously stored portion of the audio signal. and creating a recording of the current version of the emergency broadcast, including the previously stored portions, if any.

Example 18 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-17, wherein the controller comprises: a rechargeable battery and a predetermined frequency (eg, an audible It further includes a filter configured to extract a power signal of a lower and/or an inaudible band than a band of a frequency band component), and a power supply configured to charge the rechargeable battery with the extracted power signal.

Example 19 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-18, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: in the emergency broadcast mode, any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller successfully and, when determined to be received, cause the above output unit to provide the above audio signal as the above output signal.

Example 20 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 1-19, wherein the processing unit is also operable in the emergency broadcast mode and a switchable general broadcast mode, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: and cause the above output unit to provide the above audio signal as the above output signal.

Example 21 relates to a broadcast output device in a public address (PA) system, wherein the broadcast output device includes an audio speaker and a controller for driving the audio speaker, the controller comprising: A processing unit operable in an emergency broadcast mode for (the above processing unit, in the above emergency broadcast mode, any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller from a broadcast processing device in the public address system is successful) provide an audio signal comprising the currently received audible frequency band component of the received input signal as an output signal for driving the audio speaker to emit sound, or other audio an output unit configured to provide a signal, wherein the processing unit is further configured to, in the emergency broadcasting mode, when it is determined that the received input signal includes a request for recording of the emergency broadcasting, store the audio signal to record the above and if it is determined that no input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller from the broadcast processing device is successfully received, based on whether the recording is available for playback, and trigger generation of the other audio signal and provision of the other audio signal as the output signal.

Example 22 includes the subject matter of Example 21, wherein the controller further comprises an audio signal extraction unit configured to extract the audio signal from the received input signal.

Example 23 includes the subject matter of Examples 21 or 22, wherein the controller further comprises an amplifier configured to generate the other audio signal by amplifying the applied non-amplified signal, wherein the controller triggers generation of the other audio signal. This includes generating the above non-amplified signal from the above recording when the above recording is available for playback, and applying the generated non-amplifying signal to the above amplifier.

Example 24 includes the subject matter of Example 23, wherein triggering the generation of the other audio signal further comprises generating the non-amplified signal from the pre-recorded alert tone when the recording is not available for playback. .

Example 25 includes the subject matter of Examples 23 or 24, wherein the output power of the amplifier is less than or equal to the allowed input power of the audio speaker.

Example 26 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 23-25, wherein the controller further comprises a matching transformer, wherein the matching transformer comprises an external amplifier having a higher output power than the amplifier and the audio speaker, respectively, of the matching transformer. It is electrically coupled to the primary and secondary sides and is configured for impedance matching between the external amplifier and the audio speaker, and the input signal is applied to the primary side at a level boosted by the external amplifier, and in the secondary side The above input signal is decompressed and induced.

Example 27 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-26, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine that no input signal comprising any predefined request for operation of the controller has been successfully received; and determine whether the recording is available for playback based on at least one of a time required for one-time playback of the recording and a time elapsed from a last update of the recording.

Example 28 includes the subject matter of Example 27, wherein the determination of whether the recording is available for playback comprises at least the amount of time a human utterance is expected to be heard during one playback of the recording and the degree of damage to the recording. Also based on one.

Example 29 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-28, wherein the controller further comprises a control signal extraction unit configured to generate a control signal from the received input signal, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: , by receiving the generated control signal from the control signal extracting unit, and determining which of the plurality of predefined requests for the operation of the controller the control signal corresponds to, the received input signal is and determine which of the requested requests it contains.

Example 30 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-29, wherein the plurality of predefined requests includes the request for the recording, and optionally, the request for initiation of the emergency broadcast mode, the emergency It further includes or excludes at least one of a request for continuation of the broadcast mode, a request for termination of the emergency broadcast mode, and a request for power storage for driving the controller.

Example 31 includes the subject matter of Examples 29 or 30, wherein generating the control signal includes detecting a characteristic of the input signal corresponding to the predefined request, and based on the detected characteristic, the control signal includes creating

Example 32 includes the subject matter of Example 31, wherein the characteristic includes a predetermined frequency component within the inaudible frequency band.

Example 33 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 29-32, further comprising: determining whether any input signal comprising any predefined request for operation of the controller from the broadcast processing device is successfully received which includes iteratively determining whether any control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller is received from the control signal extraction unit.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of Example 33, wherein determining whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received comprises: including any predefined request for operation of the above controller in response to determining that no control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation has been received, over a period of time of a specified length or a specified number of times in succession; and determining that no input signal has been successfully received.

Example 35 includes the subject matter of Examples 33 or 34, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: between any two of the iterative determinations, process the newly received portion of the audio signal separately from the previously stored portion of the audio signal. configured for caching.

Example 36 includes the subject matter of Example 35, wherein the processing unit is further configured to prevent the cached portion from being flushed between any two of the iterative determinations.

Example 37 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-36, wherein storing the audio signal to generate a recording of the emergency broadcast comprises: a newly received portion of the audio signal, and a previously stored portion of the audio signal. and creating a recording of the current version of the emergency broadcast, including any previously stored portions above, if any.

Example 38 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-37, wherein the controller comprises: a rechargeable battery and a predetermined frequency (eg, an audible It further includes a filter configured to extract a power signal of a lower and/or an inaudible band than a band of a frequency band component), and a power supply configured to charge the rechargeable battery with the extracted power signal.

Example 39 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-38, wherein the processing unit is further configured to: in the emergency broadcast mode, any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller successfully and, when determined to be received, cause the above output unit to provide the above audio signal as the above output signal.

Example 40 includes the subject matter of any of Examples 21-39, wherein the processing unit is also operable in the emergency broadcast mode and the switchable normal broadcast mode, wherein the processing is further configured to: and provide the audio signal as the output signal.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, these should be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various changes may be made to the details of the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

100: public address system
120: broadcast transmitting device
140: broadcast receiving device
142: broadcast processing unit
160: broadcast output device
260: controller
270: audio speaker
322: processing unit

Claims (14)

A controller for driving an audio speaker in a public address system, comprising:
A processing unit operable in an emergency broadcast mode for the progress of an emergency broadcast, wherein the processing unit determines whether, in the emergency broadcast mode, any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received. configured to determine - with
an output unit configured to provide an audio signal comprising a currently received audible frequency band component of a received input signal as an output signal for driving the audio speaker, or to provide another audio signal;
a control signal extraction unit configured to generate a control signal from the received input signal, wherein the processing unit is further configured to:
when it is determined that the received input signal includes a request for recording of the emergency broadcast, storing the audio signal to generate the recording;
generating the other audio signal, based on whether the recording is available for playback, when it is determined that no input signal is successfully received comprising any predefined request for operation of the controller and trigger provision of the other audio signal as the output signal, wherein determining whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received comprises: and iteratively determining whether any control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller is received from the control signal extraction unit, the processing unit further comprising: between the two,
cache the newly received portion of the audio signal separately from the previously stored portion of the audio signal;
configured to prevent the cached portion from being flushed;
controller. According to claim 1,
Further comprising an audio signal extraction unit configured to extract the audio signal from the received input signal
controller. According to claim 1,
an amplifier configured to generate said other audio signal by amplifying an applied non-amplified signal;
triggering the generation of the other audio signal comprises generating the non-amplified signal from the recording and applying the generated non-amplified signal to the amplifier when the recording is available for playback.
controller. 4. The method of claim 3,
triggering the generation of the other audio signal further comprises generating the non-amplified signal from a pre-recorded alarm tone when the recording is not available for playback.
controller. 4. The method of claim 3,
the output power of the amplifier is less than or equal to the allowed input power of the audio speaker,
controller. 4. The method of claim 3,
An external amplifier and the audio speaker having higher output power than the amplifier are electrically coupled to the primary side and the secondary side, respectively, and further comprising a matching transformer configured for impedance matching between the external amplifier and the audio speaker, wherein the primary side includes: The input signal is applied to a level boosted by the external amplifier, and the input signal is reduced and induced on the secondary side,
controller. According to claim 1,
The processing unit may further determine from the time required for a one-time reproduction of the recording and from the last update of the recording if it determines that no input signal including any predefined request for action of the controller has been successfully received. configured to determine whether the recording is available for playback based on at least one of the elapsed time;
controller. According to claim 1,
The processing unit also, in the emergency broadcast mode,
receiving the generated control signal from the control signal extraction unit,
and determine which of the plurality of predefined requests the received input signal comprises by determining which of a plurality of predefined requests for operation of the controller the control signal corresponds to; the defined request comprises the request for the recording;
controller. According to claim 1,
generating the control signal comprises detecting a characteristic of the input signal corresponding to a particular one of the plurality of predefined requests, and generating the control signal based on the detected characteristic;
controller. 10. The method of claim 9,
wherein the characteristic comprises a predetermined frequency component within an inaudible frequency band;
controller. delete According to claim 1,
Determining whether any input signal including any predefined request for operation of the controller is successfully received includes receiving any control signal corresponding to any predefined request for operation of the controller. further comprising determining that no input signal comprising any predefined request for operation of the controller has been successfully received over a specified number of times or over a specified length of time period that does not occur.
controller. delete According to claim 1,
a rechargeable battery; and
a filter configured to extract, from the received input signal, a power signal of a predetermined frequency for supplying driving power of the controller;
and a power supply configured to charge the rechargeable battery with the extracted power signal.
controller.

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