An audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting

Abstract

An audio apparatus for broadcasting audio signals, comprising a headset 300 having at least one speaker, a control processor and a wireless transceiver. The transceiver receives an audio signal equivalent to that provided to the at least one speaker, possibly from a music or audio file source 301. In response to the user providing a control signal to the control processor, the control processor instructs the transceiver to broadcast the audio signal, so that the listening experience can be shared with others. The audio signal may be transmitted online and / or to local receivers. A button may be provided on the headset unit so that the user can provide the control signal. Optionally, a user list is created within a software package and the audio signal is broadcast to the user list. The software package may allow a prime user to manage user permissions, playlist creation and curation of content.

Description

FIELD The present invention relates to an audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting. More particularly, the present invention relates to an audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting that allows a user to simultaneously share their listening experience with other users. The present invention also relates to a method of virtual broadcasting that allows a user to simultaneously share their listening experience with other users. BACKGROUND Traditional headphones typically provide a solitary listening experience, which can lead to social isolation, especially in group settings or when users want to broadcast and share their favourite music with others. Conventional headphones have limitations when it comes to group listening experiences. A further limitation is that broadcasting audio content with others beyond physical proximity is often challenging. For example, whether a group of friends enjoying music together or a team collaborating on a project, traditional headphones do not share audio content and engage in spontaneous discussions without interrupting a listening experience. Further, traditional headphones do not have any dedicated applications for the users to customize settings for sharing the audio content with the users. An existing broadcasting audio system broadcasts audio beyond close physical proximity or space of other devices. However, the existing broadcasting audio system may face complexity in sharing music, podcasts, or other audio forms with others who are not in the same physical space. The existing broadcasting audio system requires additional equipment or manual synchronization to broadcast the audio content to other users. US9,413,799 describes and shows a system for synchronized media playback to multiple mobile receiver devices, comprising a network-connected media source device that prepares media content for viewing by separating it into a plurality of media streams, a plurality of network-connected media receiver devices that each receive a plurality of media streams and synchronize their playback relative to one another, and a method for providing synchronized media playback to multiple receiver devices. In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. SUMMARY It is an object of the present invention to provide an audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of virtual broadcasting which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice. The term “comprising” as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term “comprising”, features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprises” are to be interpreted in the same manner. As used herein the term “and / or” means “and” or “or”, or both. As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and / or singular forms of the noun. Accordingly, in a first aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in an audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting, comprising: a headset unit wearable by a user and comprising at least one speaker configured to provide audio to a user; a control processor located within the headset unit; a wireless transceiver located within the headset unit, the control processor and transmitter configured for communication with one another, the transceiver further configured to receive an audio signal equivalent to the audio provided to the at least one speaker; the control processor further configured to receive control signals from a user, and in response instruct the transceiver to broadcast the audio signal. In an embodiment, the audio apparatus further comprises a button on the headset unit, the button operable by a user to send a signal to the control processor to instruct the transmitter to broadcast the audio signal. in a second aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in a method for virtual broadcasting, comprising the steps of: i) creating a user list within a software package; ii) broadcasting an audio signal to the user list using an apparatus as specified in the statements above. In an embodiment, in the step of broadcasting an audio signal to the user list, the control processor and wireless transceiver of the apparatus can transmit directly to local receivers, or the signal can be transmitted online, or both. In an embodiment, the software package is configured to allow a prime user to add or remove users to / from the list, manage permissions for users on the list, create playlists, and curate content. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which: Figure 1 shows an exemplary view of a headset unit that forms an audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an exemplary view of a user interface of a software package / a mobile application that can be used in conjunction with the headset unit of figure 1. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the headset unit / headphones of figure 1 in use as part of a system for virtual broadcasting in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for virtual broadcasting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures. In the accompanying drawings, an underlined number is employed to represent an item over which the underlined number is positioned or an item to which the underlined number is adjacent. A non-underlined number relates to an item identified by a line linking the non-underlined number to the item. When a number is non-underlined and accompanied by an associated arrow, the non-underlined number is used to identify a general item at which the arrow is pointing. An embodiment of headset unit 100 is shown in figure 1. The headset unit 100 in this embodiment comprises a pair of headphones. A control processor 102 and wireless transceiver 103 are located within the casing of the headphones, and a broadcast button 104 is located on the casing of the headphones so that this can be easily located and activated by a user wearing the headphones. The button 104 is operable by the user to send a signal to the control processor 102, to send instructions to broadcast the audio signal that a user is listening to on the headphones. This broadcast can be via the transmitter 103 if the signal is local, or via a wider network, as is described below. The headset unit 100 is used as part of a system that provides an audio signal to the headset unit 100, and which is configured to on-broadcast the same audio signal to other users. The headset unit 100 is in communication with an audio source (which could be for example files on a mobile device), and a user can manipulate the detail of this via an interface on the mobile device, or similar. An example of an interface 400 suitable for configuring the user experience is shown in figure 2. The interface can be run as an app on a mobile device or similar. The user interface 400 allows users to configure settings related to broadcasting. The user interface 400 enables a primary user to add or remove other users, to create lists of users for different broadcast uses (e.g. a list of family members, a separate list of friends, etc), to curate playlists of music or podcasts or similar, to manage permissions for the set of users on the user list, create playlists, and curate content. For example, Joe uses a dedicated mobile application installed in a mobile device that pairs with his headset unit / headphones 100. Joe configures the broadcast settings using the user interface 400. The user interface 400 enables Joe to create a list of his friends (i.e. a user list), including Mark, Ron, Julie, Alex, and Lindsey, who will be connected with Joe through their headset unit. The user interface 400 enables Joe to set permissions for these users and other users in his user list. For example, Joe can configure the broadcast setting through the user interface 400 such that only these friends can listen to the music he is broadcasting, and he can create a sub-list or subset of users for other broadcasts. This process is shown in flowchart form in figure 4. At step 602 the user (e.g. Joe) creates a user list within a software package. At a step 604, an audio signal is broadcast to the user list using the audio apparatus as described above. Optionally, in the step of broadcasting the audio signal to the user list, the control processor and the wireless transceiver of the audio apparatus can transmit directly to local receivers, or the audio signal can be transmitted online, or both. Optionally, the software package is configured to allow a prime user to add or remove users to / from the user list, manage permissions for users on the user list, create playlists, and curate content. Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the system in operation. A music / audio file source 301 (for example, on a user’s mobile phone or similar) transmits to the prime user’s headset 300 (substantially the same as the head set 100 in figure 1) via cable or wirelessly via the transceiver in the headset 300, so that the prime user can hear the audio via the speakers in the head set 300. If the prime user wishes to transmit the audio that they are hearing to one or more of their pre-selected lists, then they press the broadcast button on their headset. The audio signal is then broadcast both to their head set, and on-broadcast to one or more headsets (represented by headset 306 in figure 3) simultaneously. This broadcast can be via the transmitter in the headset, or via a network 508. The network 508 may be at least one of a LAN (local area network), WAN (wide area network), the Internet, cable networks, cellular networks, wireless networks, e.g., WiFi and wired networks, e.g., fibre-optic, Ethernet, Fiber Channel, and direct connections. For example, if the user is in a music party, the user can broadcast live music from his / her headset unit 300 to another headset unit 306 that is associated with one or more local receivers. Similarly, for example Joe is a musician and has a group of friends. Joe can share a 5 live audio concert with his friends via a live broadcast to their headset 306 (or other similar music devices), by pressing the broadcast button on his headset unit 300. The headset unit 300 will operate to share the live audio concert with Joe's friends according to the broadcast settings configured by Joe using his user interface on his user device. The headset unit 300 broadcasts the live audio concert seamlessly to 10 his friends, whose own headphones or similar are connected / associated with the prime user’s headset unit (Joe’s headset unit).

Claims

1. An audio apparatus for virtual broadcasting, comprising:a headset unit wearable by a user and comprising at least one speaker configured to provide audio to a user;a control processor located within the headset unit;a wireless transceiver located within the headset unit, the control processor and transmitter configured for communication with one another, the transceiver further configured to receive an audio signal equivalent to the audio provided to the at least one speaker;the control processor further configured to receive control signals from a user, and in response instruct the transceiver to broadcast the audio signal.

2. An audio apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a button on the headset unit, the button operable by a user to send a signal to the control processor to instruct the transmitter to broadcast the audio signal.

3. A method for virtual broadcasting, comprising the steps of:i) creating a user list within a software package;ii) broadcasting an audio signal to the user list using an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A method for virtual broadcasting as claimed in claim 3 wherein in the step of broadcasting an audio signal to the user list, the control processor and wireless transceiver of the apparatus can transmit directly to local receivers, or the signal can be transmitted online, or both.

5. A method for virtual broadcasting as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the software package is configured to allow a prime user to add or remove users to / from the list, manage permissions for users on the list, create playlists, and curate content.

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