Patent ID: 7408442

Claim:
A programmable annunciator control system, comprising: a set of stored-sequence executable instructions to implement functions of the annunciator control system; an annunciator control unit capable of executing said stored-sequence executable instruction set; a computer-readable clock to furnish timekeeping information to said annunciator control unit; and a set of annunciators controlled by said annunciator control unit; wherein said annunciator control unit comprises a human interface subsystem supporting command and configuration input and display for said annunciator control unit, wherein said human interface subsystem comprises a microphone audio input device which converts sounds to electronic signals for further processing within said human interface subsystem; and a first sound signal processing device to convert electronic signals from said microphone audio input device into a form in which said audio input can be processed by said annunciator control unit; a nonvolatile storage subsystem storing and retrieving data on behalf of said annunciator control unit; and a communications subsystem establishing a communication link between said annunciators and said annunciator control unit.