Abstract: A digital radio broadcast station which includes a single on-line digital database having stored therein a plurality of at least several hundred (preferably at least 1800) different selections of music to be played and broadcast by the radio station. A processor system is provided for programming the operation of the digital radio broadcast station with a sequence of music selections, which are subsequently retrieved in order from the common digital database and played over the digital radio broadcast station. The single on-line digital database comprises a disk array storage, preferably a dual port RAID disk array. The digital radio broadcast station also includes a plurality of work station consoles for use by personnel responsible for operating the radio station such as disc jockeys and engineers. A bridge network such as a modem is also provided for connecting the radio station to a further digital database for music selections not stored in the common digital database.

Abstract: A mono/stereo switching circuit wherein first, second, and third switches operate in circuit which is arranged so that (1) when the first switch is engaged, and the mono/stereo switch is engaged, the signal at a first mono input is provided to both of a pair of left and right output channels; (2) when the second switch is engaged and the mono/stereo switch is not engaged, the signal at a second mono input is provided to both of the pair of left and right output channels; and (3) when the input signal is a stereo signal at the first and second inputs, and either of the first and second switches is engaged, and the mono/stereo switch is engaged, the input signal at the first input terminal is provided at the left channel output while the input signal at the second input terminal is provided at the right channel output.

Abstract: Data communications apparatus comprises a master device for processing digital audio data and a plurality of slave devices connectable in a ring network with the master device. Each slave device has a plurality of data channels associated therewith and is arranged for supply, in use, of audio data from the ring network to its associated data channels and/or to the ring network from its associated data channels. The master and slave devices are arranged for serial communication via the ring network in use of digital audio data formatted in frames, each frame comprising a plurality of data blocks which data blocks contain audio sample data corresponding to respective audio signals.

Abstract: An intelligent speaker unit is controlled by control data transmitted with the digital audio data. The intelligent speaker has a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) for processing the audio data in accordance with the control data. The control data contains an address to select the speaker unit. The DSP for the speaker unit processes audio data digitally based on parameters in the control data. The processed digital audio data is then converted to an analog signal which is amplified and applied to the speaker. The digital audio data is time division multiplexed on a TDM bus. Each time slot on the TDM bus contains audio data for one digital audio channel. The control data is placed on the TDM bus as one channel (time slot) or is distributed as control bits through all the other channels. The control data also contains channel select data. Accordingly the DSP in a selected speaker unit may in turn select its audio data from a plurality of audio channels based on the control data the DSP receives.

Abstract: An active sound reproducer (76, 78) receives an audio signal and setting signals (volume settings, filter coefficients) via a digital bus (75) for processing the audio signal. Normally, the setting signals are applied by a suitable ("compatible") control unit (74). If this unit is not present, this task is taken over by one sound reproducer operating as a "master". In a setup procedure, it is determined which one of the sound reproducers operates as a master. Each sound reproducer is adapted to receive remote control signals and to transmit these signals to the master reproducer via the digital bus. This master reproducer then distributes the setting signals to the relevant sound reproducers via the digital bus. The control unit or the reproducer operating as a master may be located in another space.

Abstract: Audio sources (201-203) may be monitored by one or more consoles (204-206) in a primary monitoring mode. Each audio source designates only one console at a time to continuously update the audio source regarding its selected status, thereby avoiding significant redundant signalling.

Abstract: An output transducer and amplifier are shared between an audio system and a cellular Phone in an automotive vehicle. An interface arbitrates between the program audio signals and the phone audio signals to select or deselect each of the audio signals depending on the status of each audio source. When only one source is in use then normally the audio signals from that source are selected. If both sources are turned on but a phone call is not in progress, then audio signals from both sources are simultaneously presented to the output transducers after summing. When a call is in progress, only the phone audio signals are selected.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a central processing unit (1) and a plurality of N communication stations (2.1, 2.2, . . . , 2N), in which the central processing unit and the communication stations are coupled over an uplink signal line (3) and a downlink signal line (4). The downlink signal (FIG. 3) on the downlink signal line has the form of successive frames, each frame comprising M signal blocks (SB.sub.m), the first signal block in a frame comprising a synchronizing word (sync word) (22), the signal blocks all having space for storing audio information in the form of p audio words (21), the M-1 signal blocks not comprising a sync word further having space for storing control information, the control information in a signal block belonging to a communication station containing downlink assign information (a.dl+m) denoting which audio words in the signal blocks in a frame are destined for said communication station. The uplink signal (FIG.

Abstract: A simultaneous interpretation system includes a plurality of simultaneous interpretation stations interconnected with a multi-conductor bus which carries up to thirteen audio lines. One audio line designated FLOOR connects to a microphone into which a source language is spoken. An interpreter located in a booth operates station controls which interact with the system. The interpreter may input select FLOOR or any one of twelve LANGUAGE lines for input to a headset and may output-select any one of the twelve LANGUAGE lines for output via a microphone. A three position microphone switch provides selective routing of the interpreter's voice from the microphone to an output-selected LANGUAGE line during "active" simultaneous interpretation, or back to the headset of the interpreter when not "active." Each booth houses two interpreters working as a team, with parallel interconnected controls, and each interpreter hears the other interpreter when their microphones are both not in the "active" mode.

Abstract: A digital signal transmission device for reproducing plural channel informational data from a digital signal formed of plural channels of informational data accompanied by channel identification data for identifying the channels in which the informational data is to be processed the digital signal having been transmitted through a single transmission line. Identification data conversion means converts channel identification data from the form which accompanies the digital signal to a modified form that identifies different channels in which the informational data will be processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for hypnotherapy which has a plurality of headphone stations for the respective subjects and a central station which can switch a control group therapy sound reproducer to all of the headphone stations for initiating, deepening and withdrawal from hypnosis stages. The headphone stations are associated with individual sound reproducers for the individual suggestion programs and a microphone can be selectively connected at the central station. A rushing water sound generator can be selectively connected to the modulation stages of the central station or the individual loudspeaker stations.

Abstract: A system for controlling the second field in auditorium having the feature that stage and audience seating areas are different acoustically, which includes a first assisted acoustics system whereby acoustical energy from the stage area is input, and then controlled acoustic energy is supplied to the audience seating area, and a second assisted acoustics which is provided independently of the first electronic acoustical augmentation system, whereby acoustical energy from the audience seating area is input, and then controlled acoustic energy is supplied to the stage area. Each assisted acoustics system includes acoustic energy input devices and acoustic energy output devices whereby a uniform rate of power decay coefficient can be effected throughout the hall, including spaces under balconies and the like. Significantly improved the degree of acoustic similarity between the stage area and audience seating area is achieved by controlling reverberation characteristics.

Abstract: A packet data generator for generating complementary packet data which are added to information data for packet transmission via a high speed PCM transmission line. The packet data generator includes first and second memories for storing the complementary packet data; an address counter for counting an address at the timing of a synchronization signal of the high speed PCM transmission line; a multiplexer for changing the connection of the first and second memories; and a synchronization circuit for outputting a switching signal to the multiplexer in synchro with an output from the address counter. Since two memories are provided, while one memory is used for supplying complementary packet data at the data transmission speed, the other memory can be used for storing new complementary packet data at the CPU processing speed. The new complementary packet data are supplied by switching from the one memory to the other memory in synchro with a synchronization signal of the high speed PCM transmission line.

Abstract: In studio, stage or field applications, high fidelity audio signals are transmitted to a remote processor in digital form in order to solve the problems of audio degradation, cross talk, ground loops and multi-cable problems associated with the analog transmission of multiple channels of audio over long distances. In one embodiment a TDM/FDM multiplexing system is utilized with increased bandwidth and dynamic range compared to data and telephone multiplexing systems to accommodate high fidelity requirements. In an embodiment involving a distributed system, multiple MUX and DEMUX modules are coupled in a distributive fashion along a light-weight transmission line, in which each of the modules is assigned a predetermined transmission frequency and with each of the modules having a number of audio inputs which are time-multiplexed for that particular MUX module and frequency.

Abstract: A music delivery arrangement permitting a subscriber to select from among a plurality of available music selections, particular selections that he wishes to hear at any time. The plurality of music selections are "played" at a central "jukebox" facility. They are frequency multiplexed onto one or more communication channels that are typically used to carry video information, such as cable television channel. The video channel information is distributed to individual subscribers either via unused channels of a cable television system, by direct broadcast at commercial television frequencies, by direct satellite transmission to a subscriber, or by some other means. The subscriber uses a converter box to demultiplex and thereby select a desired musical selection for demodulation. Demodulation can take place in the subscriber's FM broadcast receiver or in some other apparatus.

Abstract: A system for wirelessly transmitting stereo audio from a source such as a tape player to a removed location. The output signal-carrying wires from the source are connected to a coupler unit adapted to removably hold an FM band stereo broadcast microphone/transmitter. The audio output signal is coupled to the microphone/transmitter which, in turn, transmits the audio signal to an FM stereo receiver at the remote location where it is then rebroadcast for listening. In one embodiment, the coupler unit acoustically couples the signal to the microphone. In a second embodiment, the coupler unit inductively couples the signal to the microphone.

Abstract: A sound reproduction system with an improved audio mixing console provides means for instantaneous recordation of the positions of control elements on modules of the mixing console. Means are also provided for recalling the recorded positions and indicating to the sound engineer the recorded positions by use of a pair of light-emitting diodes adjacent to each control element on the console.

Abstract: A system for distributing signals from an audio source to key telephone station instruments is disclosed. By controlling the impedance relationship between the station instruments, lines and amplifier output, cross-feeding of signals from one station instrument to another or back-feeding of signals to the audio source is prevented.