Patent ID: 8189602
Filing Date: 2012-05-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for performing line connection from a transmitter to a receiver in an audio network system including a control device and a plurality of nodes each being capable of inputting, outputting or processing an audio signal, and each being detachably connected to one of a plurality of partial networks, that can work independently from each other, for transmission of the audio signals among the connected nodes by using transmission channels in time-divisional manner, the nodes connected to each of the partial network including a partial master node and a connection node, the partial master node controlling the transmission of the audio signals within the partial network and the connection node being connected to a connection network so as to connect the plurality of the partial networks with each other through the connection nodes, the connection network performing transmission of the audio signals by using transmission channels in time-divisional manner within the connection network, one of the connection nodes being a connection master node for controlling the transmission of the audio signals in the connection network, the method comprising steps of: displaying a connection setting screen on a display of the control device; accepting a user operation on the connection setting screen intending to set a connection between a transmitter and a receiver; in response to the user operation, in case of (1) the transmitter and the receiver being in a same node, setting the node to route an audio signal from the transmitter to the receiver; in case of (2) the transmitter being in a first node connected to a partial network and the receiver being in a second node being connected to the same partial network, assigning a transmission channel of the partial network, setting the first node to transmit an audio signal of the transmitter in the first node to the partial network using the transmission channel, and setting the second node to receive the audio signal from the partial network and provide the signal to the receiver in the second node; in case of (3) the transmitter being in a first node connected to a first partial network and the receiver being in a second node connected to a second partial network other than the first partial network, while a first connection node of the first partial network and a second connection node of the second partial network are connected to a connection network, assigning a first transmission channel of the first partial network, assigning a second transmission channel of the second partial network, assigning a third transmission channel of the connection network, setting the first node to transmit an audio signal of the transmitter in the first node to the first partial network using the transmission channel, setting the first connection node to receive the audio signal from the first partial network and transmit the audio signal to the connection network using the third transmission channel, setting the second connection node to receive the audio signal from the connection network and transmit the audio signal to the second partial network using the second transmission channel, and setting the second node to receive the audio signal from the second partial network and provide the signal to the receiver in the second node.