Cascade audio system and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of cameras, in particular to a cascade audio system and a control method thereof. Comprising a host end and a plurality of audio devices, the host end is provided with a first interface and a second interface, and the first interface is used for connecting an external network; the second interface is connected with one audio device, each audio device is provided with a first network port and a second network port, the first network port is used for being connected with a host end or an upper-level audio device, and the second network port is used for being connected with a lower-level audio device; in the embodiment, the cascaded audio system and the control method thereof are designed, the multiple audio devices are in wired communication connection with the host end at the same time in a cascaded mode, the requirement for multi-person interaction in a large conference is met, anti-interference performance is high, delay is low, signal transmission is more stable and efficient, and safety performance is higher.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of cameras, in particular to a cascade audio system and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In large-scale meetings, multiple parties are often required to participate in the discussion, which requires a video conferencing system. A video conferencing system, also known as a conference television system, can meet the needs of two or more individuals or groups in different locations to transmit sound, images and file information to each other through transmission lines and multimedia equipment to achieve instant and interactive communication. A video conferencing system generally includes a host side and an audio device connected to the host side. However, the existing video conferencing system has a limited number of interfaces on the host side, which limits the number of audio devices it can connect to. For conference scenarios with a large number of participants, it is difficult to meet the needs of multi-person interactive communication.

[0003] Therefore, it is very important for those skilled in the art to design a cascade audio system and a control method thereof that can meet the needs of simultaneous access of multiple audio devices. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a cascade audio system and a control method thereof that can meet the simultaneous access of multiple audio devices, so as to solve the problem in the prior art that the number of accessible audio devices is limited and it is difficult to meet the interactive communication needs of multiple people.

[0005] The present invention discloses a cascade audio system, which comprises: a host end and multiple audio devices, wherein the host end is provided with a first interface and a second interface, wherein the first interface is used to connect to an external network; the second interface is connected to one of the audio devices, and each of the audio devices is provided with a first network port and a second network port, wherein the first network port is used to connect to the host end or the audio device at the previous level, and the second network port is used to connect to the audio device at the next level.

[0006] Optionally, the first network port and the second network port both include a communication pin, a detection pin and a power pin.

[0007] Optionally, the first network port and the second network port are both RJ45 network ports.

[0008] Optionally, the first network port and the second interface as well as the first network port and the second network port are connected via a network cable.

[0009] Optionally, the network cable includes an A2B signal line, a detection line and a power line.

[0010] Optionally, the host end adopts direct current power supply or POE power supply.

[0011] Optionally, the host end is a camera.

[0012] Optionally, the audio device is a microphone or a speaker.

[0013] In order to solve the problems of the prior art, the present invention further provides a control method of a cascaded audio system, wherein the control method is implemented by any of the cascaded audio systems described above, and specifically comprises the following steps:

[0014] S1. The host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and number of cascaded audio devices;

[0015] S2. The host configures parameters of each audio device according to the type and number of the detected audio devices;

[0016] S3. After the configuration is completed, turn on the power switch, each audio device obtains power as needed, and the system runs.

[0017] Optionally, the “host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and quantity of cascaded audio devices” specifically includes the following steps:

[0018] S11, the host performs insertion detection to detect whether there is an audio device connected;

[0019] S12: If yes, initiate communication to detect the working status and type of the audio device and shake hands;

[0020] S13, after the handshake is successful, power is supplied to the connected audio device;

[0021] S14: The audio device performs insertion detection on the next-level audio device, and repeats steps S12 to S14 until all audio devices are detected.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effect of the cascade audio system provided by the embodiment of the present invention is: by designing a cascade audio system, including a host end and multiple audio devices, the host end is provided with a first interface and a second interface, the first interface is used to connect to an external network; the second interface is connected to one of the audio devices, each audio device is provided with a first network port and a second network port, the first network port is used to connect to the host end or the upper-level audio device, and the second network port is used to connect to the lower-level audio device; through cascading, multiple audio devices are simultaneously communicated with the host end by wire, meeting the needs of multi-person interaction in large-scale conferences, not only has strong anti-interference and low latency, making signal transmission more stable and efficient, but also has higher security performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0024] Figure 1 The structure of the cascaded audio system in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0025] Figure 2 The structure of the cascaded audio system in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network cable in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 The process of the control method of the cascaded audio system in the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 5 The process of the control method of the cascaded audio system in the embodiment of the present invention is as follows Figure 2 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. Now, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a specific embodiment of a cascade audio system.

[0031] A cascaded audio system, referring to Figure 1 The cascade audio system includes: a host end 100 and multiple audio devices 200. The host end 100 is provided with a first interface 110 and a second interface 120. The first interface 110 is used to connect to an external network; the second interface 120 is connected to one of the audio devices 200. Each audio device 200 is provided with a first network port 210 and a second network port 220. The first network port 210 is used to connect to the host end 100 or the upper-level audio device 200, and the second network port 220 is used to connect to the lower-level audio device 200.

[0032] Specifically, refer to Figure 1The host end 100 serves as the information receiving center of the entire cascade audio system. The host end 100 includes a first interface 110 for connecting to an external network to facilitate conference exchanges between conference participants from different locations. The host end 100 also includes a second interface 120, which is used to connect to a first audio device 200 to achieve data transmission and power supply between the host end 100 and the connected audio device 200; each audio device 200 is provided with a first network port 210 and a second network port 220. The first connected audio device 20 0 is connected to the host end 100 through the first network port 210 to realize information transmission between the audio device 200 and the host end 100; the second network port 220 of the first connected audio device 200 is used to connect to the first network port 210 of the next-level audio device 200 to realize signal transmission between the next-level audio device 200 and the host end 100, and the second network port 220 of the next-level audio device 200 is connected to the first network port 210 of the next-level audio device 200 to realize signal transmission between the next-level audio device 200 and the host end 100, and so on.

[0033] Among them, reference Figure 2 The host end 100 can cascade up to 4 audio devices 200. Taking a cascade audio system with 4 audio devices 200 as an example, the system includes the host end 100, a first audio device 201, a second audio device 202, a third audio device 203 and a fourth audio device 204; wherein the first network port 210 of the first audio device 201 is connected to the second interface 120 of the host end 100, the second network port 220 of the first audio device 201 is connected to the first network port 210 of the second audio device 202, the second network port 220 of the second audio device 202 is connected to the first network port 210 of the third audio device 203, and the second network port 220 of the third audio device 203 is connected to the first network port 210 of the fourth audio device 204, so that the first audio device 201, the second audio device 202, the third audio device 203 and the fourth audio device 204 all communicate with the main control end to realize the configuration of the audio device 200 and the transmission of data.

[0034] In large-scale meetings, multiple parties are often required to participate in the discussion. The video conferencing system is required to be able to meet the needs of two or more individuals or groups in different locations, and to transmit sound, images and file information to each other through transmission lines and multimedia devices to achieve instant and interactive communication. However, the existing video conferencing system has a limited number of interfaces on the system host side. Generally, only one to two audio devices can be connected to the host side in each scenario. In large conference rooms, participants who are far away from the host side will find it difficult to receive and transmit information, making conference communication very inconvenient.

[0035] Currently, there is also a solution to wirelessly connect multiple devices to the host side. This solution has many problems. For example, wireless signals are easily eavesdropped, interfered with or tampered with, and there are many security loopholes that make the security weak; wireless signals are easily affected by electromagnetic interference and obstacles blocking lights, resulting in poor signal quality; and the wireless spectrum is limited. When there are many wireless access devices, spectrum congestion will cause signal interference and performance degradation; wireless is also affected by distance, which limits the transmission rate and has performance problems in different environments. When in a large conference room, the signal of the remote wirelessly connected device is weak, making the communication content unclear.

[0036] In this embodiment, a cascade audio system is designed, including a host end 100 and multiple audio devices 200. The host end 100 is provided with a first interface 110 and a second interface 120, and the first interface 110 is used to connect to an external network; the second interface 120 is connected to one of the audio devices 200, and each audio device 200 is provided with a first network port 210 and a second network port 220, the first network port 210 is used to connect to the host end 100 or the upper-level audio device 200, and the second network port 220 is used to connect to the next-level audio device 200; through the cascading method, multiple audio devices 200 are simultaneously connected to the host end 100 for wired communication, which meets the needs of multi-person interaction in large-scale meetings. It not only has strong anti-interference and low latency, but also makes signal transmission more stable and efficient, and has higher security performance.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first network port 210 and the second network port 220 both include a communication pin, a detection pin, and a power pin.

[0038] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The first network port 210 and the second network port 220 both use RJ45 network ports. The RJ45 network port is a network connection interface used for connecting a wired network, such as Ethernet. The RJ45 network port has 8 metal contacts, i.e., 8 pins. The first network port 210 and the second interface 120 as well as the first network port 210 and the second network port 220 are connected via a network cable, and the 8 metal contacts of the RJ45 network port are all used to connect the network cable.

[0039] Further, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3The 8 pins of the RJ45 network port include the first and second pins as communication pins, the third and sixth pins as detection pins, the fourth and fifth pins as power pins (positive poles), and the seventh and eighth pins as power pins (negative poles); the network cable includes an A2B signal line 310, a detection line 320 and a power line 330; wherein the A2B signal line 310 of the network cable is connected to the communication pin of the RJ45 network port, the detection line 320 of the network cable is connected to the detection pin of the RJ45 network port, and the power line 330 of the network cable is connected to the power pin of the RJ45 network port; to realize data transmission, insertion detection and power supply.

[0040] In one embodiment, the host end 100 is powered by DC or POE.

[0041] Specifically, DC power supply refers to providing power to the device through a DC voltage adapter or a DC power line 330, while POE power supply transmits power and data signals through an Ethernet cable to power the device.

[0042] In one embodiment, the host end 100 is a camera; the audio device 200 is a microphone or a speaker.

[0043] Specifically, the first network port 210 of one of the microphones or speakers is directly connected to the second interface 120 of the camera to transmit data and obtain electrical energy; the other microphones or speakers are connected to the second network port 220 of the upper-level microphone or speaker through the first network port 210, and are connected to the first network port 210 of the lower-level microphone or speaker through the second network port 220 to transmit data and obtain electrical energy.

[0044] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the present invention provides a specific embodiment of a control method for a cascaded audio system.

[0045] A control method for a cascaded audio system, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 4 The control method of the cascade audio system is implemented by the cascade audio system as described above, and specifically comprises the following steps:

[0046] S1. The host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and number of cascaded audio devices;

[0047] S2. The host configures parameters of each audio device according to the type and number of the detected audio devices;

[0048] S3. After the configuration is completed, turn on the power switch, each audio device obtains power as needed, and the system runs.

[0049] Specifically, the host side 100 is first powered by DC power or POE, the next-level audio device 200 is connected to the host side 100 through the first network port 210 serving as its upstream interface, and is connected to the first network port 210 serving as its upstream interface in the next-level audio device 200 through the second network port 220 serving as its downstream interface; and so on, multiple audio devices 200 are connected to complete the system connection; further, the host side 100 detects the multiple inserted audio devices 200 to obtain the type and number of the inserted audio devices 200.

[0050] When the host side 100 obtains the type and number of the inserted audio devices 200, it will configure the parameters of each audio device 200 according to the obtained type and number of the inserted audio devices 200; when the cascaded multiple audio devices 200 are configured in sequence, turn on the main power switch of the host side 100 and each audio device 200. In this embodiment, a 24V power supply is used, and the functional modules such as the power amplifier module, analog module, etc. of the host side 100 and each audio device 200 are powered on. Each audio device 200 obtains power according to its own needs, and the system starts to run.

[0051] In one embodiment, reference Figure 1 and Figure 5 The host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and number of cascaded audio devices, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0052] S11, the host performs insertion detection to detect whether there is an audio device connected;

[0053] S12: If yes, initiate communication to detect the working status and type of the audio device and shake hands;

[0054] S13, after the handshake is successful, power is supplied to the connected audio device;

[0055] S14: The audio device performs insertion detection on the next-level audio device, and repeats steps S12 to S13 until all audio devices are detected.

[0056] Specifically, when the system connection is completed, the host side 100 first detects whether there is an audio device 200 connected through its detection pin; when an audio device 200 is connected, the host side 100 initiates communication with the first connected audio device 200, which refers to the audio device 200 directly connected to the host side 100, to detect the working status and device type of the first audio device 200, and perform a handshake; when the handshake is successful, the first audio device 200 draws power from the host side 100 through the communication pin in its first network port 210, and initiates insertion detection of the next-level audio device 200 through the communication pin in its second network port 220; and like the host side 100, the working status and device type of the next-level audio device 200 are detected, and a handshake is performed; and so on, until all connected audio devices 200 are fully detected.

[0057] When all connected audio devices 200 have been detected, the host end 100 initiates communication through its communication pin to configure parameters of each audio device 200. When all audio devices 200 have been configured, the 24V voltage is turned on to power on other functional modules of the host end 100 and each audio device 200, and the system runs.

[0058] It should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention rather than to limit it. For those skilled in the art, the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can be modified, or some of the technical features therein can be replaced by equivalents; and all these modifications and replacements should fall within the protection scope of the claims attached to the present invention.

Claims

1. A cascaded audio system, characterized in that: include: A host end and a plurality of audio devices, wherein the host end is provided with a first interface and a second interface, and the first interface is used to connect to an external network; The second interface is connected to one of the audio devices, and each of the audio devices is provided with a first network port and a second network port, the first network port is used to connect to the host end or the audio device at the previous level, and the second network port is used to connect to the audio device at the next level.

2. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first network port and the second network port both include a communication pin, a detection pin and a power pin.

3. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first network port and the second network port are both RJ45 network ports.

4. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first network port and the second interface as well as the first network port and the second network port are connected via a network cable.

5. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The network cable includes an A2B signal line, a detection line and a power line.

6. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The host end is powered by direct current or POE.

7. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The host end is a camera.

8. The cascaded audio system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The audio device is a microphone or a speaker.

9. A control method for a cascaded audio system, characterized in that: The control method is implemented by the cascaded audio system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and specifically comprises the following steps: S1. The host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and number of cascaded audio devices; S2. The host configures parameters of each audio device according to the type and number of the detected audio devices; S3. After the configuration is completed, turn on the power switch, each audio device obtains power as needed, and the system runs.

10. According to the control scheme of claim 9, the "host performs insertion detection to obtain the type and quantity of cascaded audio devices" specifically comprises the following steps: S11, the host performs insertion detection to detect whether there is an audio device connected; S12: If yes, initiate communication to detect the working status and type of the audio device and shake hands; S13, after the handshake is successful, power is supplied to the connected audio device; S14, the audio device connected to the host performs insertion detection on the next-level audio device, and repeats steps S12 to S14 until all audio devices are detected.

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