Line Array Speaker Redundant Power and Network Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional speaker systems, particularly line-array speaker systems, are vulnerable to performance interruptions due to power supply failures, which are common in professional and touring applications, despite having robust network connections.

Innovation Solution

Self-powered speaker systems with redundant power supplies and audio signal/control connections, including a dedicated power supply and a front-end backup power supply, along with a field programmable gate array (FPGA) section for controlling audio and control communications, enable continuous operation even in the event of power failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional speaker system uses a single power supply, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to power supply failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidpower supply configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively establishes a backup power supply configuration before any failure occurs. The secondary power supply is pre-configured and ready to immediately take over if the primary power supply fails, eliminating the need for reactive measures during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a cushioning mechanism by providing a secondary power supply that acts as a buffer against power failures. This redundant power source absorbs the shock of primary power supply failure, ensuring continuous operation without interruption to the speaker system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a speaker system implements redundant power supplies, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional power supply components and management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance continuityVSAvoidpower supply architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically manages the power supply system without external intervention. It continuously monitors the status of both power supplies, automatically detects failures, and switches between them as needed, eliminating the need for manual configuration or intervention and simplifying the user experience despite the complex underlying architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback monitoring of power supply status through the controller. This feedback mechanism enables real-time detection of power supply failures and automatic adjustment of power distribution, ensuring reliable operation while managing the complexity of the redundant power architecture through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the speaker system uses a single network connection for control communications, then the device complexity is minimized, but the reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to network failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork connection architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-establishes multiple network connection paths before any communication failure occurs. The controller is configured to use alternative communication routes if the primary network connection fails, ensuring continuous control capability without requiring reactive reconfiguration during critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a cushioning approach by providing alternative network communication paths that act as buffers against network failures. These redundant communication routes absorb the impact of primary network failure, ensuring continuous control of the speaker system without interruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If the speaker system implements redundant network connections, then the communication reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional communication pathways

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol communication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The controller automatically manages multiple network connections without external intervention. It continuously monitors the status of communication pathways, automatically detects failures, and switches to alternative routes as needed, eliminating the need for manual configuration and simplifying the user experience despite the complex underlying network architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11778380B2Powered line array speaker system with redundant network and power supply

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 BOSE CORP

AI summary

Various implementations include speaker systems. In one implementation, a self-powered speaker system includes: a self-powered speaker system, having: a first module, including: a processor; an audio signal and control connector coupled with the processor and enabling audio signal and control communication between the processor and another module in the speaker system; a dedicated power supply for the speaker system; a front end backup power supply; and a power connector coupled with the dedicated power supply and the front end backup power supply, where the first module and another module in the speaker system each include an amplifier module.