Patent Application
20200112810
The present invention generally relates to entertainment systems and, more particularly, to transmitting audio signals to one or more components within the entertainment system.
When watching television or listening to music, users must be cognizant of disturbing other people. For example, if you are watching television or listening to a stereo in a public area, for example, a recreation or break room the volume of the television or stereo may interfere with someone else in the room who may be reading a book or trying to have a conversation with another person in the room. Conventionally, you may mitigate this problem by connecting a headset or pair of headphones directly to the television. A drawback with such a solution is that the user must get up and manually connect the listening devices to the television. Depending on the length of the connection mechanism, the user may have to be too close to the television, for example, to enjoy the video content of the program they are watching.
Another drawback with having to manually connect listening devices to audio sources is that if the user moves to another room, the user must manually connect the listening devices to the components in the other room. An affiliated drawback with manual device connection is the possibility that the connectors of the audio source and listening devices are not compatible. This results in an unsatisfactory user experience.
An entertainment system includes an audio transmission device, for example a digital television. configured to provide audio signals over multiple channels. The entertainment system also includes an audio receiving device, for example over-the-ear or wireless headphones, configured to receive signals from the audio transmission device. The audio receiving device includes a sensor. When the sensor is in a first position the audio receiving device receives the signals from the audio transmission device. Correspondingly, when the sensor is in a second position, the audio receiving device does not receive the signals from the audio transmission device.
The audio transmission and audio receiving devices may be coupled via a network or through near field communication protocols. When the audio receiving device and the audio transmission device are coupled, the audio signals are received by the audio receiving device. When the audio transmission and audio receiving devices are not couple, the audio signals are transmitted via the output devices, for example, of the audio transmission device.
When the user moves from one room or area to another room or area, the connection to the audio transmission device in the prior is returned by the speakers of that particular device; the audio receiving device couples to an audio transmission device in the subsequent room and any audio being provided by the speakers or other audio transmitters components of the audio transmission device cease and the audio signals are transmitted to the newly coupled audio receiving device.
A feature provided by the present invention is that audio transmission and audio receiving devices may be coupled on the fly via a network hub.
Another feature provided by the present invention is that communication between the audio devices may be provided by a microphone incorporated in the audio receiving devices.
A benefit provided by the present invention is that through the use of the audio receiving devices, other persons in local proximity to the audio transmission device may not be disturbed or otherwise distracted by the audio being provided by the audio transmission device.
A further understanding of the nature and the advantages of particular embodiments disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to
The entertainment system 10 includes an audio transmission device 12, an audio receiving device 14, a first network hub or access point 128, speakers (e.g. Bluetooth Speakers) 132 and a second network hub or access point 132. The audio transmission device 12, may be implemented as a digital television, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet device, a personal digital assistant or any suitable device capable of providing audio and video content to a user.
In an exemplary embodiment, the audio transmission device is implemented as a digital television 12, including a controller 121, a network connection 122, a near field communication connection module 123, an audio controller 124, speakers 125, 126 for providing audio content to a user and a display 13 device.
The controller 121 may be implemented as a processor, a controller, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit or any suitable device configured and capable of controlling the functionality and operation of the television.
The network interface module 122 may be implemented by any suitable device capable of connecting the television 12 to a corresponding network. For example, the network interface module may be an 802.11n connection, a USB connection or any suitable connection or module. The network interface module 122 may receive signals from the audio receiving device 14 to establish a connection in certain embodiments.
The near field communication module 123 may be implemented by any device capable of providing a near field communication link between the television 12, for example, and the audio receiving device 14.
The audio controller 124 may be implemented by any device capable of controlling one or more speakers 125, 126 that may be integrated within the television 12 or otherwise externally coupled to the television 12, for example a sound bar. Depending on the signal received from the audio receiving device 14, the audio controller 124 will cause any audio signals to be transmitted by the television speakers 125, 126 or transmit the audio signals to the audio receiving device 14 as will be explained in greater detail below.
The display 13 may be implemented by any suitable device, for example, LED, LCD, OLED, touch screen for presenting visual information to a user. Although illustrated as being separate from the body of the television 12, the display 13 may be integrated within the body of the television 12.
The audio receiver 14 may be implemented by wireless speakers, ear buds, over-the-ear speakers or any suitable device capable of receiving audio transmissions and providing sound to a user. In an exemplary embodiment, the audio receiver 14 is implemented by wireless speakers. The architecture and functionality of the audio receiver 14 is described in greater detail with respect to
The stand-a-lone speakers 132 may be implemented by any suitable device capable of providing audio signals to a user. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the speakers 132 are implemented by Bluetooth speakers. The Bluetooth speakers 132 connect to a corresponding network via a network hub or access point 130.
The network hubs or access points 128, 130 may be implemented by any suitable device capable of establishing a local area network, for example, an 802.11n hub, server, a distributed network or a small field network.
In an exemplary embodiment, the television 12 is coupled to a local area network via network hub 128; the audio receiving device, for example, wireless headphones 14 is also connected to the local area network configured by network hub 128. Audio content is initially provided by the television speakers 125, 126 under control of the audio controller 124. When the wireless speakers 14 connect to the network or the wireless speakers sends a signal, for example, when the user puts on the headphones, via sensor module 142 (
In addition to being able to receive audio signals within a first room 11, a user can move from one room to another, the headphones (e.g. audio receiving device 14) automatically connect to a different network or audio transmission device 132 in a second room (as shown in dashed outline) 21 and receive audio transmissions from any device, for example, Bluetooth speakers 132 connected to the second network. When leaving the first room 11, the connection with the television 12 is terminated. When entering the second room 21 a connection with the speakers 132 is established either via the second network or near field communication connection; thereby initiating transmission from the speaker 132 to the headphones 14. Again, the transition will be seamless, therefore maintaining the fidelity of the audio reception without disturbing others in the second room 21.
The wireless headphones 14 include a sensor module 142, a near field communication module 144, a receiver 146, a microphone 148 and an auxiliary module 149. The sensor module 142 may be implemented by any suitable switch or component that has a first (e.g. off) position and a second (e.g. on) position. The switch may be translated to a first position when the user puts the headphones on or places earbuds within the ear. The switch may be translated into a second position, when the headphones or earbuds are removed from the user. In addition to engaging in on/off positioning, the sensor module 142 is also configured to connect the wireless headphones 14 to a corresponding network. In this manner, the wireless headphones 14 may be interconnected with other components, for example, the digital television 12 (
The near field communication module 144 may be implemented by any suitable device capable of providing a near field communication (NFC) link between the wireless headphones 14 and a corresponding transmission device (e.g. television 12 (
The receiver 146 may be implemented by any suitable device capable of receiving an audio signal. The audio signal may be either an analog or a digital signal. Alternatively, the receiver 146 may be implemented by an analog-to-digital or a digital-to-analog converter which would enable the user of the headphones to receive and listen to broadcasting, music, soundtracks from a corresponding transmitting device independent of format.
The microphone 148 may be implemented by any suitable device or component capable of transmitting voice signals or commands to one or more receiving devices. For example, in an embodiment where two or more users are using wireless headphones, a first user may talk to a second user through the microphone 148 without negatively affecting a third user. More specifically, the users with headphones can communicate with one another without interfering with a third user that is in proximate location of the first and second user.
The auxiliary module 149 may be, for example, a connection port for a power adapter used to charge the headphones 14, for example, if the headphones are wireless or a connection port used to connect the headphones to an associated unit to receive audio signals, for example, a base station or larger receiver if the headphones are wired devices.
In step 204 a determination is made as to whether the audio receiver is active or connected to an audio transmitting device. This may be accomplished, for example, by determining whether the sensor of the headphones is in the on position and transmitting a connection or transmit signal to the network interface module 122 (
If it is determined that the audio receiver connection is active, the process moves to step 206 where the audio is transmitted to the headphones via the audio controller 124 (
In step 304 a determination is made as to whether the connection is maintained. This may be accomplished, for example, determining whether the sensor switch is in an on (e.g. first) or off (e.g. second) position. Alternatively, a determination is made as to whether the near field connection link is maintained or active. If the switch is in the off (e.g. second) position or the near field connection is no longer established or active, the process proceeds to step 305. If the switch is in the on (e.g. first) position or the near field connection is active, the process proceeds to step 306.
In step 305, the headphones no longer receive the audio transmission as there is no connection to a corresponding audio transmission device. Any audio to be perceived will be provided by the now disconnected audio transmission device. The process then ends.
In step 306, the audio receiving device, for example, the headphones 14 (
Although the description has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, these particular embodiments are merely illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the audio transmission device may be implemented by any suitable device capable of providing or transmitting audio signals including, but not limited to, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smart device, speakers or an audio bar. As mentioned above, the audio receiving device may be implemented by any suitable device of receiving audio signals including, but not limited to, wired, over-the-head and wireless speakers or headphones.
Any suitable programming language can be used to implement the routines of particular embodiments including C, C++, Java, assembly language, etc. Different programming techniques can be employed such as procedural or object oriented. The routines can execute on a single processing device or multiple processors. Although the steps, operations, or computations may be presented in a specific order, this order may be changed in different particular embodiments. In some particular embodiments, multiple steps shown as sequential in this specification can be performed at the same time.
Particular embodiments may be implemented in a computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, system, or device. Particular embodiments can be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination of both. The control logic, when executed by one or more processors, may be operable to perform that which is described in particular embodiments.
Particular embodiments may be implemented by using a programmed general purpose digital computer, by using application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays, optical, chemical, biological, quantum or nanoengineered systems, components and mechanisms may be used. In general, the functions of particular embodiments can be achieved by any means as is known in the art. Distributed, networked systems, components, and/or circuits can be used. Communication, or transfer, of data may be wired, wireless, or by any other means.
It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application. It is also within the spirit and scope to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.
A “processor” includes any suitable hardware and/or software system, mechanism or component that processes data, signals or other information. A processor can include a system with a general-purpose central processing unit, multiple processing units, dedicated circuitry for achieving functionality, or other systems. Processing need not be limited to a geographic location, or have temporal limitations. For example, a processor can perform its functions in “real time,” “offline,” in a “batch mode,” etc. Portions of processing can be performed at different times and at different locations, by different (or the same) processing systems. Examples of processing systems can include servers, clients, end user devices, routers, switches, networked storage, etc. A computer may be any processor in communication with a memory. The memory may be any suitable processor-readable storage medium, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic or optical disk, or other non-transitory media suitable for storing instructions for execution by the processor.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, while particular embodiments have been described herein, latitudes of modification, various changes, and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of particular embodiments will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit.
