ARRANGEMENT OF AUDIO DEVICES, CONFIGURATION APPARATUS, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (4) of audio devices for the purpose of a public address system, comprising an audio-signal processing apparatus (5) and a configuration apparatus (6), wherein: the audio-signal processing apparatus (5) comprises a first plurality of audio-signal inputs (10), a second plurality of signal outputs (11) and a third plurality of signal paths (9); the signal paths (9) connect audio-signal inputs (10) to signal outputs (11); the audio-signal inputs (10) are designed to pick up a provided audio signal; the configuration apparatus (6) is designed for open-loop control, closed-loop control and/or configuration of the audio-signal processing apparatus (5); the configuration apparatus (6) is designed to switch off signal paths (9), in particular unused and/or undesired signal paths.

Claims

1. An arrangement (4) of audio devices for a public address system, the arrangement comprising: an audio signal processing apparatus (5) and a configuration apparatus (6), wherein the audio signal processing apparatus (5) has a first plurality of audio signal inputs (10), a second plurality of signal outputs (11) and a third plurality of signal paths (9), wherein the signal paths (9) connect audio signal inputs (10) to signal outputs (11), wherein the audio signal outputs (10) are configured to pick up a provided audio signal, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to control, adjust and/or configure the audio signal processing apparatus (5), wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to switch off one or more of the signal paths (9).

2. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to perform the switch-off of the signal paths (9) following a start of the configuration apparatus (6), an initialization of the configuration apparatus (6) and/or a configuration change.

3. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to activate switched-off signal paths (9).

4. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) has an input unit (14) for setting and/or selecting configuration profiles, wherein the configuration profiles comprise information relating to signal paths (9) that are used, unused, to be switched off, switched off and/or active, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to switch off and/or activate the signal paths (9) based on the configuration profiles.

5. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one configuration profile is configured as time-dependent, wherein the signal paths (9) stored and/or specified in the time-dependent configuration profile as used and/or unused are configured as time-dependent.

6. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) comprises a computer unit.

7. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal paths (9) have current-operated circuit components (12).

8. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the circuit components (12) comprises a microcontroller or audio signal processor.

9. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio signal processing apparatus (5) comprises a mixing console, an audio matrix and a multichannel loudspeaker processor.

10. The arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the signal paths (9), one of the audio signal inputs and/or one of the signal outputs has a measurement unit, wherein the measurement unit is configured to detect whether an audio signal is present and to provide it as a measurement signal to the configuration apparatus (6), wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to control the signal paths (9) based on the measurement signal.

11. A configuration apparatus (6) for an arrangement (4) of audio devices as claimed in claim 1, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to deactivate at least one signal path (9).

12. A method for configuring an arrangement (4) of audio devices, wherein the arrangement (4) includes an audio signal processing apparatus (5) and a configuration apparatus (6), wherein the audio signal processing apparatus (5) has a first plurality of audio signal inputs (10), a second plurality of signal outputs (11) and a third plurality of signal paths (9), wherein the signal paths (9) connect audio signal inputs (10) to signal outputs (11), wherein the audio signal outputs (10) are configured to pick up a provided audio signal, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to control, adjust and/or configure the audio signal processing apparatus (5), wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to switch off one or more of the signal paths (9), the method comprising deactivating at least one signal path (9) of the audio signal processing apparatus (5) between a first plurality of audio signal inputs (10) and a second plurality of signal outputs (11).

13. (canceled)

14. A non-transitory, computer readable storage medium, containing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to control an arrangement (4) of audio devices to deactivate at least one signal path of a plurality of signal paths (9) of an audio signal processing apparatus (5) between a first plurality of audio signal inputs (10) and a second plurality of signal outputs (11), wherein the arrangement (4) includes the audio signal processing apparatus (5) and a configuration apparatus (6), wherein the audio signal processing apparatus (5) has the first plurality of audio signal inputs (10), the second plurality of signal outputs (11) and the third plurality of signal paths (9), wherein the signal paths (9) connect audio signal inputs (10) to signal outputs (11), and wherein the audio signal outputs (10) are configured to pick up a provided audio signal, wherein the configuration apparatus (6) is configured to control, adjust and/or configure the audio signal processing apparatus (5).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further advantages, effects and designs can be found in the attached figures and their description, wherein:

[0027] FIG. 1 shows schematically a design of the public address system with an example of an arrangement of audio devices;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of audio devices as one example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows schematically a design for the public address system of a sound environment 1. The sound environment 1 is, for example, an indoor space such as a concert hall. Alternative sound environments can also include outdoor areas such as open-air events or sound provision for announcements in public places. The sound environment 1 is provided with sound using a plurality of loudspeakers 2. The loudspeakers 2 are spatially distributed, in particular for creating a spatial effect and/or for realistic reproduction of an audio signal. The loudspeakers 2 together form a loudspeaker system. Light effect sources 3, for example illumination lamps, strobe lights and/or other light effects, are further arranged in the sound environment. The audio signal reproduced by the loudspeakers 2 can be visually supported or underpinned by means of the light effect sources 3.

[0030] The loudspeakers 2 and/or the light effect sources 3 are adjusted and/or controlled, in particular, by means of the arrangement 4 of audio devices. The arrangement 4 of audio devices can be disposed within the sound environment 1, for example as a mixing console in situ. Alternatively, the arrangement 4 of audio devices can be disposed externally, for example in a control center, even in a different country. The arrangement 4 of audio devices has a signaling connection to the loudspeakers 2 and/or to the light source 3, for example wireless and/or wired.

[0031] In this representation, the arrangement 4 of audio devices is disposed on a desk and comprises an audio signal processing apparatus 5, a configuration apparatus 6 and an audio source 7. In particular, the audio source 7 and the configuration apparatus 6 have a data connection, for example by means of a cable link, to the audio signal processing apparatus 5, wherein this connection can be provided temporarily, for example for setting purposes, or can be implemented permanently, if, for example, a readjustment and/or further configuration of the audio signal processing apparatus 5 by means of the configuration apparatus 6 is necessary. The configuration apparatus 6 serves to configure, set and/or operate the audio signal processing apparatus 5. The audio signal processing apparatus 5 can be designed as a mixing console and the configuration apparatus 6 as a computer unit, for example as a tablet computer, a notebook or a central computer. The configuration apparatus 6 can further be designed as a smartphone. The audio source 7 can be designed as a CD player and/or DVD player, MIP 3 player or a live audio source.

[0032] FIG. 2 shows schematically an arrangement 4 of audio devices. The arrangement 4 of audio devices comprises an audio signal processing apparatus 5 and a configuration apparatus 6.

[0033] The audio signal processing apparatus 5 is designed here as a mixing console. The audio signal processing apparatus 5 comprises a plurality of lines 8a-8f. The lines 8 in each case comprise and/or define one or more signal paths 9. The lines 8a-8f in each case comprise at least one audio signal input 10, at least one signal output 11, wherein at least one signal path 9 extends from the audio signal input 10 to the signal output 11. One or more circuit components 12 can be disposed along the signal path 9. The circuit components 12 can be analog circuit components such as resistors, controllers, operational amplifiers, transistors or switches. The circuit components 12 can further comprise digital circuit components such as signal processors, analog-to-digital converters or digital-to-analog converters. The signal path 9 is energized and/or active in operation so that the circuit components 12 are supplied with the necessary operating voltage or operating energy. An audio signal applied to an audio signal input 10 or different audio signals applied to different audio signal inputs 10 can be processed, mixed and/or converted by means of the circuit components 12 along the signal path. The signal emitted at the signal output 11 can comprise an audio signal. Alternatively, however, the signal can be a different data signal, for example to control the light effect source 3.

[0034] The audio signal inputs 10 are connectable, for example by means of cable lines or by means of radio links, to audio signal sources 7a, 7b and 7c. The audio signal source 7a comprises, for example, a digital audio signal source, for example a CD player, a computer or MP3 player. The audio signal source 7b is, for example, a microphone for transmitting presentations and/or announcements. Instruments, such as, for example, a guitar as the audio signal source 7c, can further serve as audio signal sources. The audio signal provided by the audio signal sources 7a-7c can be received by the audio signal inputs 10 as an analog or digital signal. This audio signal is then forwarded in converted or unconverted form via the signal path 9 to the signal outputs 11. These signals can be emitted by the signal outputs 11 by means of cable connections or radio links on loudspeakers 2 or at the light effect source or can be tapped there. In most applications, the mixing consoles and/or the audio signal processing apparatuses 5 are equipped with a multiplicity of lines 8, audio signal inputs 10 and signal outputs 11. The full potential is not usually used and/or exhausted during the use, since only a subset of the audio signal inputs 10 or lines 8 is required or used. It can be provided or implemented here, for example, that the audio signal source 7a is connected to the line 8a, the audio signal source 7b is connected to the line 8b and the audio signal source 7c is connected to the line 8c. The lines 8d, 8e and 8f are not used in this example embodiment. In the prior art, all lines have hitherto been operated with current, so that, in principle, all elements 12 are usable. However, after the lines 8d-8f have not been used and/or needed, a configuration apparatus 6 is provided that switches off the unused lines 8 or their signal paths 9. Here, the lines 8d, 8e and 8f would be switched off. The lines 8a, 8b and 8c or their signal paths 9 and/or circuit components 12 would continue to be regarded and/or operated as active by the configuration apparatus 6.

[0035] The configuration apparatus 6 is designed here as a computer unit. This comprises a display unit 13 and an input unit 14. In particular, the display unit 13 and the input unit 14 can be combined, for example in the form of a tablet and/or touchscreen. A GUI (graphical user Interface) 15, for example, can be displayed on the display unit 13. A configuration profile can be selected, defined and/or created anew by a user by means of the graphical user interface 15. The GUI can further comprise, for example, a representation of the audio signal processing apparatus 5. The user can select, for example, the inputs 10 and/or lines 8 which are actively used by means of the input unit 14 on this graphical representation 16. He can further specify, for example, which signal inputs 11 are used and/or needed. He can store this selection, for example, as a configuration profile which is also retrievable later. A configuration profile can be defined, for example, for an event type, for example the performance of a specific band with a specific line-up. The configuration apparatus 6 is designed to deactivate the lines 8d-8f and/or their signal paths 9 on the basis of the configuration profile if they are not stored in the configuration profile as used and/or needed. The configuration profile 16 can also comprise a time-dependent or dynamic configuration profile whereby, for example, 90 minutes after a start time, a different combination of lines 8, audio signal inputs 10 and signal outputs 11 is used and/or needed, so that, for example, hitherto deactivated signal paths 9 are activated and signal paths 9 which are no longer needed are deactivated. The configuration apparatus 6 can be understood to mean a control apparatus for the audio signal processing apparatus 5.