Addressable Amplified Speaker Assembly for Wireless Paging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional amplified speakers in public announcement systems lack individual addressability, require sophisticated central controllers, and are often hardwired, making them impractical for certain configurations and lacking remote volume control capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The development of amplified speaker assemblies that are individually addressable via wireless or hardwire connections, featuring a programmable microprocessor that controls volume and activation based on detected signals, allowing for remote programming and volume control, and are designed to be weatherproof.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional amplified speakers are used in public announcement systems, then broadcast operation from a single source is achieved, but individual addressability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual addressabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the public announcement network into individually addressable segments by assigning unique identification codes to each speaker assembly. This allows selective activation of specific speakers or groups of speakers through coded signals, enabling zone-based broadcasting without requiring a complex centralized controller for each speaker.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical hardwired control system with wireless communication technology. Speaker assemblies receive control signals and identification codes wirelessly, eliminating the need for complex physical wiring and centralized controllers while maintaining individual addressability and group broadcasting capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a central paging system controller is used to route paging requests, then paging functionality is achieved, but system complexity and hardwired configuration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote paging capabilityVSAvoidcontroller complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each speaker assembly is equipped with a microprocessor that enables it to independently process identification codes and activate based on received signals. This self-service capability eliminates the need for an external centralized controller to route paging requests, as each speaker can autonomously determine whether to activate based on its assigned code.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless communication system provides multiple functions through a single mechanism: individual paging, group paging, and system-wide broadcasting are all achieved through the same wireless signal transmission infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate control systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardwired configuration is used for speaker connections, then stable connection is achieved, but flexibility and practicality for certain configurations are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical hardwired connections with wireless communication technology for signal transmission between controllers and speaker assemblies. This substitution maintains connection reliability through error-correcting protocols while providing unprecedented configuration flexibility, allowing speakers to be placed in locations where wiring would be impractical or impossible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Ease of operation

If conventional amplified speakers without individual addressing are used, then simple system structure is maintained, but remote volume control capability is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote volume controlVSAvoidspeaker assembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the amplifier, speaker driver, microprocessor for signal processing, and volume control functionality into a single integrated speaker assembly. This merging of functions allows remote volume control through wireless communication while maintaining a relatively simple overall system structure, as the control capabilities are built into each speaker unit rather than requiring separate external controllers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS7826628B2Addressable amplified speaker assembly and method for addressing the same

Publication Date: 2010.11.02 HUBBELL INC

AI summary

Addressable amplified speakers assembly, and method for addressing the same, suitable for any permanent or temporary public address paging application. Amplified speakers assembly may incorporate VHF and UHF radios to provide wireless, one-way paging from a few feet to many miles away. These speakers can be added to any existing radio system with minimal effort or cost. The need for routing signal cable is eliminated, greatly reducing installation costs. Each speaker can be programmed for individual, group, or all-page access via DTMF or 2-Tone coding (up to 8 different addresses). The volume of each speaker can also be controlled remotely.