Patent ID: 6754546
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: H04L,H04N,H04R

Abstract:
An electronic audio connection system providing a shared audio space to a plurality of separate physical spaces, the electronic audio connection system comprising:a server operable to implement audio signal processing functions; a first physical space including a first plurality of speakers, a first plurality of microphones, and a first base, the first base capable of bi-directional communication with the server, the first plurality of microphones operable to transmit a first set of captured audio signals to the first base, the first base operable to process the first set of captured audio signals and transmit the first set of captured audio signals to the server, the first base further operable to transmit a first set of playable audio signals received from the server to the first plurality of speakers, the first plurality of speakers operable to transmit the first set of playable audio signals, whereby the transmit first set of playable audio signals together with any other aural signals present in the first physical space form a first audio space perceptible to a fist listener in the first physical space; a second physical space including a second plurality of speakers, a second plurality of microphones, and a second base, the second base capable of bi-directional communications with the server, the second plurality of microphones operable to transmit a second set of captured audio signals to the second base, the second base operable to process the second set of captured audio signals and transmit the second set of captured audio signals to the server, the second base further operable to transmit a second set of playable audio signals received from the server to the second plurality of speakers, the second plurality of speakers operable to transmit the second set of playable audio signals, whereby the transmit second set of playable audio signals together with any other aural signals present in the second physical space form a second audio space perceptible to a second listener in the second physical space; wherein the first set of captured audio signals may be further processed at the server and transmitted to the second base as the second set of playable audio signals such that when the second plurality of speakers transmits the second set of playable audio signals the second audio space is directly related to the first audio space; wherein the first physical space further includes a first control panel operable to control the first audio space through control of the first base, the first plurality of speakers, and the first plurality of microphones; and wherein the first control panel includes a second physical space selector switch, the second physical space selector switch operable to couple and de-couple the first and second audio spaces.