Internet protocol streaming audio system

Abstract

This disclosure describes an internet protocol streaming audio system 20. This system 20 includes a TCP/IP LAN network 200 that streams the digital audio signal and a plurality of network speaker nodes 100 coupled to the TCP/IP LAN network 200. An individual network speaker node 100 includes a network controller 120 that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network where the network controller 120 further includes an embedded controller with memory. In addition, the network speaker node 100 includes a network interface 110 that couples the network controller 120 to the LAN network 200. Further, the network speaker node 100 includes an audio format converter 121 that couples to the network controller 120 and converts and formats the digital audio signal. Additionally, the network speaker node 100 includes a pre-amplifier 123 and an amplifier 125.

1 . An internet protocol streaming audio system, comprising:
 a TCP/IP LAN network that streams the digital audio signal; and   a plurality of network speaker nodes coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network, wherein an individual network speaker node further comprises:
 a network controller that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from said LAN network, said network controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory; 
 a network interface that couples said network controller to said LAN network; 
 an audio format converter that couples to said network controller and converts and formats the digital audio signal; and 
 a pre-amplifier and an amplifier. 
   
   
   
       2 . The claim of  claim 1  further comprising a networked audio source node device coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network 
   
   
       3 . The claim of  claim 1  wherein said embedded controller is an embedded web server controller. 
   
   
       4 . The claim of  claim 1  further comprising an internet interface coupled to said network speaker nodes via said LAN network. 
   
   
       5 . The claim of  claim 1  further comprising a legacy converter and controller coupled to said LAN network. 
   
   
       6 . A method of making an internet protocol streaming audio system, comprising:
 providing a TCP/IP LAN network that streams the digital audio signal; and   coupling a plurality of network speaker nodes said TCP/IP LAN network, wherein an individual network speaker node further comprises:
 a network controller that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from said LAN network, said network controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory; 
 a network interface that couples said network controller to said LAN network; 
 an audio format converter that couples to said network controller and converts and formats the digital audio signal; and 
 a pre-amplifier and an amplifier. 
   
   
   
       7 . The claim of  claim 6  further comprising a networked audio source node device coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network 
   
   
       8 . The claim of  claim 6  wherein said embedded controller is an embedded web server controller. 
   
   
       9 . The claim of  claim 6  further comprising an internet interface coupled to said network speaker nodes via said LAN network. 
   
   
       10 . The claim of  claim 6  further comprising a legacy converter and controller coupled to said LAN network. 
   
   
       11 . A method of using an internet protocol streaming audio system, comprising:
 providing a TCP/IP LAN network that streams the digital audio signal; and   streaming the digital audio signal to a plurality of network speaker nodes coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network, wherein an individual network speaker node further comprises:
 a network controller that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from said LAN network, said network controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory; 
 a network interface that couples said network controller to said LAN network; 
 an audio format converter that couples to said network controller and converts and formats the digital audio signal; and 
 a pre-amplifier and an amplifier. 
   
   
   
       12 . The claim of  claim 11  further comprising a networked audio source node device coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network 
   
   
       13 . The claim of  claim 11  wherein said embedded controller is an embedded web server controller. 
   
   
       14 . The claim of  claim 11  further comprising an internet interface coupled to said network speaker nodes via said LAN network. 
   
   
       15 . The claim of  claim 11  further comprising a legacy converter and controller coupled to said LAN network. 
   
   
       16 . A program storage device readable by a programmable device that tangibly embodies a program of instructions executable by the programmable device to perform a method of using an internet protocol streaming audio system, comprising:
 providing a TCP/IP LAN network that streams the digital audio signal; and   streaming the digital audio signal to a plurality of network speaker nodes coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network, wherein an individual network speaker node further comprises:
 a network controller that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from said LAN network, said network controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory; 
 a network interface that couples said network controller to said LAN network; 
 an audio format converter that couples to said network controller and converts and formats the digital audio signal; and 
 a pre-amplifier and an amplifier. 
   
   
   
       17 . The claim of  claim 16  further comprising a networked audio source node device coupled to said TCP/IP LAN network 
   
   
       18 . The claim of  claim 16  wherein said embedded controller is an embedded web server controller. 
   
   
       19 . The claim of  claim 16  further comprising an internet interface coupled to said network speaker nodes via said LAN network. 
   
   
       20 . The claim of  claim 16  further comprising a legacy converter and controller coupled to said LAN network.