Patent ID: 8131390

Claim:
A network speaker node for an audio distribution system that uses a local area network where the speaker node converts a digital audio signal to and from an analog audio signal and provides an external connection between the audio system and one or more speaker/microphone components, comprising: a network controller that controls the processing of the digital audio signal to and from the LAN network, said network controller further comprises an embedded controller with memory and which is programmed to function as a web server; a network interface that couples said network controller to the LAN network; an audio format converter that couples to said network controller and converts and formats the digital audio signal, said audio format converter is updated through the LAN network; a digital to analog converter that couples to said audio format converter and converts the digital audio signal to the analog audio signal; a pre-amplifier that couples to said digital to analog converter and adjusts and filters the analog audio signal and an amplifier that couples to said pre-amplifier and amplifies the analog audio signal, said pre-amplifier further comprises an electronic crossover for frequency division; speaker sensors that couple to said pre-amplifier and provide feedback that enables internal auto adjustment by frequency separation to enhance speaker protection and performance and allow for sending control signals back to other devices in the LAN network; and a speaker/microphone driver that couples to said amplifier and provides the external connection to the speaker/microphone components for the analog audio signal.