Devices, methods and computer programs for broadcast transmission of an audio stream

Abstract

A transmitting device for broadcast transmission of an audio stream is provided, the transmitting device comprising circuitry configured to: identify a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device; transmit, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission; receive a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; acquire the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission. An assistant device and corresponding methods and computer programs are also provided.

Description

[0001] Spec

[0002] DEVICES, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAMS FOR BROADCAST TRANSMISSION OF AN AUDIO STREAM BACKGROUND

[0003] Field of the Disclosure

[0004] The present disclosure relates to devices, methods and computer programs for broadcast transmission of an audio stream.

[0005] Description of the Related Art

[0006] The "background" description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in the background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention.

[0007] Wireless communication can be used in order to stream content (such as audio content) from one device to another. For example, a first device which is playing content (such as a television) may stream an audio component to a second device (such as a speaker or headphones) such that the audio component of the content is reproduced by the second device (either instead, or in addition to, an integral speaker of the first device).

[0008] In some situations, it may be desired that an audio component from the first device is streamed to more than one second device. In such a situation, the first device may transmit the audio component via a broadcast transmission. Accordingly, a number of different second devices may then receive this broadcast transmission and reproduced the audio component.

[0009] However, it can be difficult to efficiently establish and utilize a broadcast transmission in some situations. For example, when a stream of audio is broadcast, every second device which receives the broadcast transmission will receive the same audio component which is currently being transmitted by the first device. Furthermore, any change or processing applied to the stream being broadcast will affect all of the different receiving devices.

[0010] On the other hand, when streaming to more than one second device is required, individual transmission directly to each of the second devices (e.g. through a dedicated narrowcast for each second device) can substantially increase the required communication overheads and resources. It is an aim of the present disclosure to address these issues.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] A brief summary about the present disclosure is provided hereinafter to provide a basic understanding related to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0013] Embodiments of the present disclosure are defined by the independent claims. Further aspects of the disclosure are defined by the dependent claims.

[0014] In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, more efficient communication in a wireless system when establishing and broadcasting audio streams can be achieved.

[0015] The present disclosure is not particularly limited to this advantageous technical effect. Other technical effects will become apparent for the skilled person when reading the disclosure.Spec

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates an example apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates an example broadcast system;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates an example transmitting device in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 illustrates an example assistant device in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure; Figure 5 illustrates an example system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0022] Figure 6 illustrates an example system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0023] Figure 7 illustrates a first example implementation of a transmitting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0024] Figure 8 illustrates a second example implementation of a transmitting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0025] Figure 9 illustrates an example method in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure;

[0026] Figure 10 illustrates an example method in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to Figure 1, an example apparatus 1000 (an example of an information processing device) according to embodiments of the disclosure is shown. Typically, an apparatus 1000 according to embodiments of the disclosure is a computer device such as a personal computer, an entertainment system or videogame console, or a terminal connected to a server. Indeed, in embodiments, the apparatus may also be a server. The apparatus 1000 is controlled using a microprocessor or other processing circuitry 1002. In some examples, the apparatus 1000 may be a portable computing device such as a mobile phone, laptop computer or tablet -computing device.

[0029] The processing circuitry 1002 may be a microprocessor carrying out computer instructions or may be an Application Specific Integrated Circuit. The computer instructions are stored on storage medium 1004 which maybe a magnetically readable medium, optically readable medium or solid state type circuitry. The storage medium 1004 may be integrated into the apparatus 1000 or may be separate to the apparatus 1000 and connected thereto using either a wired or wireless connection. The computer instructions may be embodied as computer software that contains computer readable code which, when loaded onto the processor circuitry 1002, configures the processor circuitry 1002 to perform a method according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0030] Additionally, an optional user input device 1006 is shown connected to the processing circuitry 1002. The user input device 1006 may be a touch screen or may be a mouse or stylist type input device. The user input device may also include an image sensor, for capturing user input (such as an input gesture). The user input device 1006 may also be a keyboard, controller, or any combination of these devices. In some examples, the user input device 1006 may be a microphone or other device. The user to may then provide input via sounds or speech.Spec

[0031] A network connection 1008 may optionally be coupled to the processor circuitry 1002. The network connection 1008 may be a connection to a Local Area Network or a Wide Area Network such as the Internet or a Virtual Private Network or the like. The network connection 1008 may be connected to a server allowing the processor circuitry 1002 to communicate with another apparatus in order to obtain or provide relevant data. The network connection 1002 may be behind a firewall or some other form of network security.

[0032] Additionally, shown coupled to the processing circuitry 1002, is a display device 1010. The display device 1010, although shown integrated into the apparatus 1000, may additionally be separate to the apparatus 1000 and may be a monitor or some kind of device allowing the user to visualize the operation of the system (e.g. a display screen or a head mounted display). In addition, the display device 1010 may be a printer, projector or some other device allowing relevant information generated by the apparatus 1000 to be viewed by the user or by a third party.

[0033] As explained in the Background, wireless communication can be used in order to stream content (such as audio content) from one device to another. For example, a first device which is playing content (such as a television) may stream an audio component to a second device (such as a speaker or headphones) such that the audio component of the content is reproduced by the second device (either instead, or in addition to, an integral speaker of the first device).

[0034] In some situations, it may be desired that an audio component from the first device is streamed to more than one second device. In such a situation, the first device may transmit the audio component via a broadcast transmission. Accordingly, a number of different second devices may then receive this broadcast transmission and reproduced the audio component.

[0035] Consider, now, the example of Figure 2 of the present disclosure. The example of Figure 2 illustrates an example broadcast system.

[0036] In this example, a transmitting device 2000 is provided. The transmitting device may be a device which is receiving audio-visual content and which transmits at least a portion of that content (e.g. an audio component) to one or more receiving devices. In this example, the transmitting device 2000 may be a television, and the one or more receiving devices 2002, 2004 and 2006 are external speakers which are capable of reproducing audio received from the transmitting device.

[0037] While, in this example, the transmitting device is receiving audio-visual content, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. That is, in some examples, the content being received by the transmitting device (for which a portion of that content is transmitted to one or more receiving devices) may be audio-visual content such as a television program or the like. However, in some examples, the content being received by the transmitting device (for which a portion of that content is transmitted to one or more receiving devices) may be audio content (i.e. without any corresponding visual content). As an example, the content being received may be audio content such as an audio description, narration or the like (e.g. within a museum, a venue, or the like). Therefore, while the content being received by the transmitter (for transmission to one or more receiving devices) can have a visual component in addition to an audio component, the visual component is not necessarily required (and may or may not be present depending on the situation to which the embodiments of the disclosure are applied).

[0038] The transmitting device 2000 may transmit the audio component to the receiving devices 2002, 2004 and 2006 using any suitable means. For example, the transmitting device may transmit the audio component using wireless communication. The wireless communication can include short-range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth. Furthermore, in this example, the transmittingSpec

[0039] device is transmitting the audio component to the receiving devices 2002, 2004 and 2006 using a broadcast transmission.

[0040] Accordingly, any of the receiving devices 2002, 2004 and 2006 can receive and reproduce the audio component being transmitted by the transmitting device.

[0041] However, it can be difficult to efficiently establish and utilize a broadcast transmission in some situations. For example, when a stream of audio is broadcast (such as an audio component from the transmitting device 2000), every receiving device which receives the broadcast transmission will receive the same audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device. As an example, if the transmitting device 2000 of Figure 2 was transmitting English language audio, then each receiving device 2002, 2004 and 2006 would receive this same English language audio. Furthermore, any change or processing applied to the stream being broadcast will affect all of the different receiving devices. For example, if the transmitting device 2000 applied certain processing to the audio component before its transmission, then the processed audio component would be received by all of the transmitting devices 2002, 2004 and 2006.

[0042] On the other hand, when streaming to more than one second device is required, individual transmission directly to each of the second devices (e.g. through a dedicated narrowcast for each second device) can substantially increase the required communication overheads and resources. Accordingly, devices, methods and computer programs are provided in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0043] transmitting Device>

[0044] Consider, now, Figure 3 of the present disclosure. Figure 3 of the present disclosure illustrates an example transmitting device in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0045] The example transmitting device 3000 of Figure 3 comprises circuitry 3002.

[0046] The circuitry 3002 is configured to identify a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device. Furthermore, the circuitry 3002 is configured to transmit, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

[0047] The circuitry 3002 is further configured to receive a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component.

[0048] The circuitry 3002 is also configured to acquire the second audio component based at least in part on the request.

[0049] Finally, the circuitry 3002 is configured to transmit the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0050] In this manner, more efficient communication in a wireless system when establishing and broadcasting audio streams can be achieved. In particular, the transmitting device advertises (through transmission of the first information) information concerning audio components which are available for an assistant device. This includes both an audio component which is currently being broadcast by the transmitting device and also an audio component which is not currently beingSpec

[0051] broadcast by the transmitting device (being an audio component which the transmitting device has access to - and which is thus available for transmission - but which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device). Then, upon receiving a request from an assistant device, the transmitting device can establish a new audio stream with the new audio component for the assistant device.

[0052] The type of the first information which is transmitted, by the transmitting device, is not particularly limited in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, provided that it comprises an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission. In some examples, the first information may comprise a list of the different audio components which are available for transmission. In some examples, for each of the plurality of audio components, the first information may comprise an indication as to whether the audio component is currently being transmitted. In other words, the first information may indicate whether the audio component is currently being broadcast by the transmitting device in an audio stream, or whether the audio component is a component which could potentially be transmitted by the transmitting device if so requested by the assistant device.

[0053] In examples, the transmitting device may transmit each audio component for transmission as an individual, dedicated, audio stream. However, in other examples, the circuitry 3002 of the transmitting device 3000 may be configured to transmit a combination of a plurality of audio components as a single combined audio stream. In examples, the combination of the different audio components by the transmitting apparatus may be determined by the transmitting device (e.g. based on a type of audio component). In examples, the combination of the plurality of audio components in a single audio stream may be made based upon a request from the assistant device. This will be explained in more detail later.

[0054] It will be appreciated that the communication between the transmitting device and the assistant device is not particularly limited and can comprise any suitable wireless communication. In examples, the wireless communication may include a short-range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this respect.

[0055] In examples, at least a number of the functions of the circuitry 3002 may be implemented as processing circuitry such as the processing circuitry 1002 as described with reference to Figure 1 of the present disclosure. Furthermore, while a single circuitry 3002 is shown in the example of Figure 3, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, different functions provided by the circuitry 3002 may be distributed amongst one or more separate circuitry or processing units. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited to the configuration illustrated in the example of Figure 3. <Assistant Device>

[0056] Consider, now, Figure 4 of the present disclosure. Figure 4 of the present disclosure illustrates an example assistant device in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0057] The example assistant device 4000 of Figure 4 comprises circuitry 4002.

[0058] The circuitry 4002 is configured to receive first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device.Spec

[0059] Furthermore, the circuitry 4002 is configured to receive selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components.

[0060] The circuitry 4002 is also configured to generate a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component.

[0061] Finally, the circuitry 4002 is configured to transmit the request to the transmitting device.

[0062] In this manner, more efficient communication in a wireless system when establishing and broadcasting audio streams can be achieved. In particular, upon receiving first information from the transmitting device, which indicates audio components which are available and currently being transmitted by the transmitting device, as well as audio components which are available and which are not currently being transmitted by the audio device, it becomes possible for the assistant device to provide a request to the transmitting device for broadcast of a desired audio component.

[0063] As explained above, the assistant device is the device which receives the first information from the transmitting device, and makes a request to the transmitting device for a new broadcast stream. In some examples, the assistant device may then control a receiving device to receive the new broadcast stream from the transmitting device. On the other hand, in some examples, the assistant may be an integral part of a receiving device, such that the assistant device performs functions both of the request of the new broadcast stream and of receiving that new broadcast stream from the transmitting device. These different example situations will be described in more detail later.

[0064] In examples, the assistant device may be configured to receive selection information through a user interface. In examples, the user interface may be a graphical user interface. However, more generally, any type of user interface can be used. In examples, the user interface may provide the first information to a user, such that the user can understand the audio component which is currently being broadcast by the transmitting device and also the audio component which is available, but which is not yet being broadcast by the transmitting device. The user may then make a selection, through the user interface, of an audio component which they would like to receive. For example, the assistant device may display, through a user interface, that English language audio is currently being broadcast by the transmitting device and that French language audio is available, but not currently being broadcast by the transmitting device. In this situation, the user may then make a selection of the French audio component through the user interface, in order to generate a request comprising a request for transmission of the French language audio component. In this way, flexibility and control of the transmission of audio component can be improved.

[0065] In examples, at least a number of the functions of the circuitry 4002 may be implemented as processing circuitry such as the processing circuitry 1002 as described with reference to Figure 1 of the present disclosure. Furthermore, while a single circuitry 4002 is shown in the example of Figure 4, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, different functions provided by the circuitry 4002 may be distributed amongst one or more separate circuitry or processing units. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited to the configuration illustrated in the example of Figure 4. <First Example System>

[0066] Further details of embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to a first example system. Such an example system is illustrated in Figure 5 of the present disclosure.Spec

[0067] In the example of Figure 5 of the present disclosure, broadcast transmission in a wireless communication system comprising a transmitting device 3000 and at least one assistant device 4000 will be described.

[0068] In this example, the transmitter may be a display device, such as a television, which is currently displaying certain audio-visual content to one or more users. For example, a user may be streaming a television program on the television. The visual content may be displayed to the user on a display panel of the television. The audio content (such as a given audio component) may be provided to the user by speakers which are integral to the television. As an example, the speaker of the television may output an English language audio component of the television program.

[0069] However, while, in this example, the content is audio-visual content, it will be appreciated that in other examples, the content comprise only audio content.

[0070] However, the user may wish to watch the television program on the television, while listening to a different audio component than is being output by the speaker of the television. For example, when two users are watching the same television program on the television, the first user may wish to listen to the television program in English, while the second user may wish to listen to the television program in a different language (such as French). Accordingly, the second user may use an assistant device such as assistant device 4000 described with reference to Figure 4 of the present disclosure, in order to listen to the television program in the different language, as will now be described. In this example system, the assistant device is a device which is capable of outputting audio to a user once the audio has been requested and received from the transmitting device (the television, in this example). As such, the assistant device, in this example, may be a device such as a headphone which can be worn by the user such that the user can hear the audio output by the assistant device.

[0071] However, the assistant device is not particularly limited in this regard, and any type of assistant device which is capable of performing the required steps to request the transmission of the audio component from the transmitting device can be used as required.

[0072] The steps of establishing the transmission of the additional audio component by the transmitter will now be described.

[0073] In a first step, the transmitter (the television in this example) advertises the different streams which are available for selection. This is achieved by broadcast transmission of first information from the transmitter, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission. As has been explained, this includes audio components which are currently being broadcast by the transmitter and also audio components which are not currently being broadcast by the transmitter- this will be described in more detail later. In this example, the television may currently be broadcasting the English language audio component (being the audio component which is also being output by the speaker of the television) but may not be broadcasting the French language audio component (despite the French language component being available to the television for broadcast).

[0074] Upon receiving this first information, the assistant (e.g. the smartphone of the second user) can be used in order to make a selection of a desired audio component. For example, in a second step, the second user may use the smartphone in order to make a selection of the French language audio component. In examples, the selection may be made via user input at a user interface. In general, any type of input may be provided (e.g. audio input, a button, a touchscreen or the like). In some examples, the user interface may include a graphical user interface. For example, a display screen on the assistant may display a graphical user interface to the user, the graphical user interface showingSpec

[0075] the first information which has been received from the transmitter. For example, the graphical user interface may show a list of the different audio components which are available. In examples, this may also show whether the different audio components are currently being broadcast by the transmitter or not. The user may then make a selection through user input (e.g. by actuation of a corresponding interactive element displayed on a touchscreen display) to make a request of that audio component. However, while a graphical user interface has been described, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, an audio user interface may be provided. For example, the assistant device may output audio to the user, based on the first information, concerning the different audio components which are available. Then, the user may make a selection through user input (e.g. a voice command or button press) to make a request of that audio component.

[0076] Notably, at this stage, the assistant cannot output the French language audio component to the second user, since the French language audio is not being output by the transmitter. Rather, the assistant must request that the transmitter establishes a new stream corresponding to the selected audio component.

[0077] Accordingly, as a third step, the assistant sends a request to the transmitter, the request requesting that a new audio stream is established. As has been described, the request comprises a request for transmission of the desired audio component (e.g. the French language audio component).

[0078] Upon receiving this request, the transmitter (the television in this example) will acquire the audio component which has been requested in the request. In examples, the transmitter will verify that the requested audio is available and will then perform processing in order to generate a new audio stream for broadcasting this requested audio component. Once generated, in step 4, the transmitter will transmit the second audio component as the second audio stream by broadcast transmission. Since the transmission is a broadcast transmission, it is not transmitted directly to any specific device (such as the assistant). Rather, it is a broadcast transmission which can be received by any device (including the assistant) which is within a transmission range of the transmitter.

[0079] In this way, the second audio component becomes available to the assistant, such that the assistant can output the audio to the second user. As an example, a speaker in the assistant (a smartphone in this example) may output the French audio to the second user, while the first user, listening to the output of the television, can still hear the English audio. In examples, the speaker in the assistant may be integrated into noise cancelling headphones, which may mitigate any disturbance from the English Audio being output by the speaker of the television. In examples, the speaker may be a Sony © Bravia © Theatre U neckband speaker. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard and any type of speaker in the assistant can be used as required.

[0080] Furthermore, once the new broadcast stream is transmitted in step 4, the transmitter may then update the first information in order to indicate that the French audio is not only available, but is actually being actively broadcast by the transmitter. Therefore, this new audio stream become available to any other assistant devices which are within range of the transmitter. In other words, any additional assistant devices which require this audio content can receive it from the transmitter on the basis of the updated first information, without requesting the transmitter to generate a new broadcast stream.

[0081] In some examples, there may be many additional types of audio content which are available to the transmitter device for certain audio-visual content. For example, a television program may have many different types of audio content available (corresponding, for example, to a number ofSpec

[0082] different languages or translations of the television program). Therefore, broadcasting all of this different audio content as a number of different audio channels would increase the processing and communication overheads in the system. On the other hand, the embodiments of the disclosure reduce the processing and communication overheads and thus improve communication efficiency. That is, in embodiments of the disclosure, the audio components which can potentially be broadcast by the transmitter are advertised in the first information. However, a new broadcast stream is only transmitted for an audio component when that audio component has been requested, which reduces processing and communication overheads required for broadcast of an audio component which is not currently required.

[0083] The example of Figure 5 has been described with reference to an example situation where the first and second user wish to listen to audio in different languages. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, the different audio components may not relate only to different languages of audio, but may also relate to different types of audio content (e.g. audio description, narration, commentary or the like). A different broadcast stream may be established, upon request, for these different types of audio content as described.

[0084] In examples, the embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to a public broadcast system (e.g. at a shopping venue, an airport, a stadium, a railway station or the like). Here, the public broadcast system may have different audio components for transmission (relating, for example, to music channels, public information channels, specific information channels, safety alerts, or the like). In such a situation, the transmitter may broadcast a list, in the first information, of all audio components which are available (whether currently being broadcast or not). Then, upon receiving a request, the transmitter may establish a new broadcast stream corresponding to the requested audio component.

[0085] Furthermore, in examples, the embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to a venue in which multiple different display devices (e.g. televisions) are provided, with each of those display devices displaying different visual content. In this example, the different audio components may relate to the different visual content which is being displayed. In examples, the display devices may, in themselves, be "silent" display devices, which display only the visual content (and do not output any audio). In such a situation, the audio may be received, by a user, through an assistant device of the present disclosure (and / or using a receiver device, as described in more detail later). For example, a first television in a venue (e.g. a bar, a restaurant or a gym or other sporting facility) may be showing a first sporting match, while a second television in the venue may be showing a second sporting match - the different audio components may relate to these different sporting matches. All the different audio components for transmission (whether currently being broadcast or not) may then be advertised in the first information. Then, a new broadcast stream may be generated by the transmitter when a request for a specific audio component is received from an assistant device. Furthermore, in examples, embodiments of the disclosure may be applied to a situation such as a museum or art gallery. In this example, the different audio components may relate to different audio descriptions which are available for different exhibits within the museum or art gallery. There may be multiple different audio descriptions for each exhibit within the museum or art gallery (describing a different aspect of the exhibit, for example). Furthermore, the descriptions available for the different exhibits may also be provided in different languages. Therefore, the transmitter may advertise a list of all the different audio components which are available (whether currently being broadcast or not). Then, upon receiving a request from an assistant device, the transmitter may establish a new broadcast stream corresponding to the requested audio. As an example, a first person (such as a tour guide) may use an assistant device to request audio concerning a specificSpec

[0086] exhibit within a museum. Then, once the transmitter has established a new broadcast stream corresponding to that audio, all members of the tour may then receive the new broadcast stream using their respective devices in order to listen to the audio.

[0087] As such, while the example of Figure 5 has been described with reference to one specific example situation, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard and may more generally be applied to any situation whereby different audio components are available (or potentially available) for transmission by the transmitter.

[0088] <Second Example System>

[0089] Consider, now, Figure 6 of the present disclosure. Figure 6 illustrates an example system in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. More specifically, Figure 6 illustrates an example of broadcast transmission in a wireless communication system comprising a transmitting device, at least one assistant device and at least one receiving device.

[0090] A number of the different steps of Figure 6 are the same as have been described within reference to Figure 5 of the present disclosure. In particular the steps of advertising the streams, selecting steams and requesting the new streams are the same as have been described with reference to Figure 5 of the present disclosure. Accordingly, further repetition of the details of these steps will not be provided again at this stage, for brevity of the disclosure. However, the steps 4 and 5 of Figure 6 are different from Figure 5 and will now be described.

[0091] In the example of Figure 6, the assistant device is a first device which can be used by a user to make a request of a stream which should be established and broadcast by the transmitter. However, in contrast to the example of Figure 5, the assistant device in Figure 6 does not output the audio which has been requested to the user. Rather, a separate receiver is used in order to receive, from the transmitter, the audio which has been requested and to output this audio to the user.

[0092] As an example, the assistant device may be a device such as a smart phone, a computer device or the like, which is operating an application (or other type of software) which can be used in order to receive the first information from the transmitter, select a stream and request a new stream to be established. On the other hand, the receiver may be a device such as a headphone, headset, earbud or the like, which contains a speaker and which can be used to output audio to the user.

[0093] In examples, the assistant and the receiver may be communicatively coupled with each other (e.g. through a short range wireless communication, such as Bluetooth).

[0094] Accordingly, in step 4, once the user has used the assistant device to request that the transmitter established a new stream of audio, the assistant device further generates a control signal in order to cause the receiving device to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device. The type and nature of the control signal is not particularly limited and may vary depending on the embodiments of the disclosure. In some examples, the control signal may include an indication of the audio component which has been requested. In some examples, the control signal may include information, such as a channel ID, corresponding to the channel to which the receiver should receive the information from the transmitter. Indeed, any type of control information may be provided in the control signal from the assistant to the receiver in order to cause the receiver to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device.

[0095] Then, in step 5, the new channel which is broadcast by the transmitter is received, by the receiver, on the basis of the control signal from the assistant. The receiver may then output the audio which has been received such that the user may listen to the requested audio component.Spec

[0096] In this way, the user may use the assistant device in order to cause the transmitter to establish a new broadcast stream and may use the receiver to listen to the audio component transmitted by the transmitter on this new broadcast stream. This further improves efficiency and flexibility when receiving audio from the transmitter in the wireless system.

[0097] While the example of Figure 6 (and also, the example of Figure 5) have been described with reference to a situation of receiving a request for one new audio component from one assistant device, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, there may be multiple assistant devices within range of the transmitter. Each of these different assistant devices may request a different steam to be established. In other examples, a number of the different assistant devices may request the same audio component, in which case the transmitter may establish a single new broadcast stream, which can then be used by the different assistant devices (or receivers) in order to receive the audio component from the transmitter.

[0098] Furthermore, in examples, once an assistant device has sent one request to the transmitter, at a later time, the assistant device may send a new request to that transmitter (e.g. when a user changes their mind concerning which audio content they would like to receive).

[0099] <First Example Transmitter lmplementation>

[0100] Consider, now, Figure 7 of the present disclosure. Figure 7 illustrates a first example implementation of a transmitting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0101] In this example, the transmitting device is a display device, such as a television. Furthermore, in this example, the television is configured to receive audio-visual content via broadcast transmission (e.g. using a terrestrial network or the like). Here, the transmitting device is a transmitting device because it receives content and then transmits at least a portion of that content to one or more receiving devices. Therefore, in examples, the transmitting device may, optionally, be referred to as an intermediate transmitting device, a subsequent transmitting device or the like. In examples, the transmitting device may also be referred to as a receiving / transmitting device, because it is configured to receive content (e.g. using a terrestrial network or the like) and then transmit at least a portion of that content (e.g. a specific audio component) to one or more receiving devices.

[0102] Specifically, in this example, the television may receive a transport stream, such as an MPEG2-TS transport stream, to receive audio-visual content in a broadcast system such as a Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) system.

[0103] The example of Figure 7 illustrates different stages within the television as it receives the audiovisual content from the broadcast system.

[0104] While, in this example, the content is audio-visual content, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard and, more generally, the content may be audio only content, for example.

[0105] At a first stage 7000, the television receives a list of service elements contained in the broadcast (e.g. a program map table, which describes the different elements of the program). In this example, this PMT includes references to the video content and subtitles for the program. The PMT also includes references to four different audio components for the program: an English language audio component, an English language audio description component, a French language audio component and a French language audio description component. In this example, the English and French audio descriptions are provided as rm channels which can be combined with the corresponding English or French audio in order to provide the full audio (with audio description) for the program in thatSpec

[0106] language. In other words, the standard audio (e.g. as provided in the English or French language component) is not itself duplicated within the corresponding audio description audio component. Rather, the audio description component contains only the additional audio which is required in order to provide the audio description to supplement the audio in the corresponding English or French audio component.

[0107] At the next stage 7002, an application on the television filters the different components which have been received, depending on the settings which have been requested. For example, a first user may be using the television in order to watch the program, in English, with subtitles. Accordingly, the application on the television filters the elements from the PMT, to provide the video, subtitles and English language audio to the main television pipeline. At this stage 7004, the main television pipeline applies certain processing to the content from stage 7002 (e.g. television specific EQ settings), in order to produce the video, subtitles and English language audio which are provided to the user in the main television display stage 7006 (e.g. using a display panel and speakers of the television).

[0108] The output from the main television presentation stage is only a portion of the total content which was originally referenced in the PMT. Furthermore, the output from the main television presentation stage has been processed specifically for the television during the main television pipeline stage 7004. Therefore, while this content can, in addition to being displayed during the main television presentation stage, be broadcast for reception by other devices (e.g. the assistant and / or receiver) this content is only a portion of the total content available for broadcast by the television to other devices. As such, when broadcasting the first information (detailing the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission) the television can include all of the different audio components which are referenced in the PMT, even though a number of those audio components may not necessarily be processed by the main television pipeline.

[0109] In this example, a second pipeline is present, in addition to the main television pipeline. This additional second pipeline is used when broadcast of an additional audio component has been requested. Indeed, in this example, the television (an example of a transmitting device as described with reference to Figure 3) has received a request from an assistant, the request being for broadcast of the French audio component. Accordingly, upon receiving this request, the television establishes the second pipeline and uses this second pipeline to generate the broadcast of the requested audio component.

[0110] In particular, the television acquires the additional audio component which has been requested (here, the French audio component) from the PMT; in this example implementation, this can be achieved by filtering the requested component from the broadcast transmission. Accordingly, the French audio component is then passed to the second pipeline in stage 7002.

[0111] Next, the audio component which has been requested can, optionally, be processed by an alternative processing pipeline 7004A. During the alternative processing pipeline 7004A, certain processing can be applied to the audio component separate from the processing applied during the main television pipeline 7004. For example, while processing is applied, during stage 7004, in view of the EQ specific settings of the television, the processing which is applied during the optional stage 7004A can be processing which is tailored towards the sound which played on certain types of assistant devices (such as portable speakers). Alternatively, certain sound effects can also be applied during the optional stage 7004A (such as a sound effect in order to elevate the clarity of a voice). As such, it will be appreciated that, in examples, the circuitry of the transmitting device (here, the television) can be configured to perform audio processing on the second audio streamSpec

[0112] independently to the first audio stream. This enables a more customised stream to be provided (e.g. with amplification of certain frequencies for a user, or users, who are hard of hearing or who exhibit a degree of hearing loss).

[0113] After the optional stage 7004A (or immediately following the acquisition of the additional audio component from the PMT) the process moves to the final stage 7006A. Stage 7006A comprises the transmission of the newly acquired audio component as a second audio stream, by broadcast transmission. Once transmitted, the broadcast audio component can then be received by any assistant or receiver device within range. Furthermore, at this stage, the first information can be updated in order to indicate that the additional audio component (here, the French audio component) is both available and currently being broadcast by the television.

[0114] As has been explained, in this example, the audio description is referenced (within the PMT) separately from the corresponding language audio component (that is, the English language audio component is provided separately from the English language audio description). Accordingly, in some examples, the circuitry of the transmitting device (here, the television) may be configured to transmit a combination of the plurality of audio components which are of a given type as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission. Consider a situation whereby the main television presentation is displaying the video with subtitles and English language audio (as illustrated in Figure 7). In this example, an assistant device may request that French language audio description is also broadcast by the television. However, the circuitry of the transmitting device can determine that if the French language audio description is requested, the assistant device will also require the French language audio. Accordingly, in this example, the circuitry of the transmitting device may then acquire both the French language audio and the French language audio description components as referenced by the PMT. During the optional stage 7004A, the French language audio component and the French language audio description component may then be combined into a single new audio component, which is then passed to the transmitting stage for broadcast as a single new audio stream by broadcast transmission. In this way, when multiple different audio components are required, these audio components can be combined, where appropriate, into a single new audio stream, thus further reducing the communication overheads in the system. In examples, once a new stream has been created for a transmission of the combination of a plurality of audio components, information concerning this new stream may be added to the first information (such that other assistant devices can know that this new combined stream is available for reception from the transmitting device).

[0115] In the aforementioned example situation, it is the circuitry of the transmitting device which decides whether to combine certain audio components within a single new stream. However, the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard. In examples, the request which is received from the assistant device may request that certain audio components are combined in a new audio stream. That is, the assistant device may request a combination of different audio components from the transmitting device. Consider a situation where the embodiments of the disclosure are applied to a museum, for example. The audio components available in the museum may include audio descriptions of the different exhibits present in the museum, for example. However, in addition, the audio components may include public announcements and a plurality of different types of music. A user may control an assistant device (e.g. through operation of a user interface) in order to make a selection of a number of different audio components which are requested. For example, the user may request an audio component related to a specific exhibit and may also, in addition, a selectin of a certain background music to enjoy. Accordingly, the assistant may provide a request, to the transmitting device, for a combination of the audio component of the exhibit and the audioSpec

[0116] component of the background music. These audio components can then be combined into a single new broadcast stream by the transmitting device.

[0117] As such, in examples, the request from the assistant device may comprise a request for transmission of more than one audio component from the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, and the circuitry of the transmitting device may be configured to acquire the requested audio components based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired audio components as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0118] Furthermore, in examples, a respective transmitting device may be associated with each of n exhibits (TxA, TxB ,TxC,...). The assistant device may receive first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components from TxA. Further instances of first information may be received from TxB and TxC. The first information may be attributed an order or rank based on signal strength derived based on transmission strength information in RSSI packets from TxA ,TxB, TxC. The assistant device may comprise circuitry to calculate a relationship between transmission signal strength information in an RSSI packet and actual receive signal strength. For example, it may be inferred that a difference in the calculated relationships between the signal strength and the RRSI packet information and the received signal strength would imply that the device is closer to TxA for example. So, in this case, the first information from TxA is attributed a high rank value accordingly. Received signal strength may for example be calculated by deriving Bit Error Rates or by measurement of a a voltage at the antenna. As the device moves closer to TxB and away from TxA, the rank value is updated and the first information from TxB is attributed a higher rank than TxA. The rank may be used by the assistant device GUI to arrange the audio components within the GUI. Accordingly, first information can be displayed in an order corresponding to proximity to a transmitter, for example closer to the relevant exhibit. Correspondingly, second audio components may be arranged by rank based on signal strength accordingly.

[0119] In examples, the assistant device may access a second audio component or have second audio components in the GUI and be able to request a second audio component from TxA. As it moves from receiving range of TxA to TxB and TxC, a corresponding second audio component may be made available without explicit user request. This may be achieved for example by configuring TxA, TxB and TxC to co-ordinate with one another and communicate requests for second audio components at TxA to TxB. Therefore, when the assistant device receives the signal from TxB, the second audio component is already available. In another example, the request for secondary audio component prepared for TxA is stored in memory of the assistant device or in memory to which the assistant device has access and re-executes automatically the request when TxB's signal is received. The re-execution to transmitter devices may for example be configured to be performed within a certain location and / or for a certain time period.

[0120] <Second Example Transmitter lmplementation>

[0121] Consider, now, Figure 8 of the present disclosure. Figure 8 illustrates a second example implementation of a transmitting apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure. In this example, the transmitting device is a display device, such as a television. Furthermore, in this example, the television is configured to receive audio-visual content via streaming of that content over a network from a server (e.g. over a network such as the internet, or the like).Spec

[0122] Specifically, in this example, the television may receive the audio-visual content using an adaptive bitrate streaming technology, such as DASH.

[0123] Here, the transmitting device is a transmitting device because it receives content and then transmits at least a portion of that content to one or more receiving devices. Therefore, in examples, the transmitting device may, optionally, be referred to as an intermediate transmitting device, a subsequent transmitting device or the like. In examples, the transmitting device may also be referred to as a receiving / transmitting device, because it is configured to receive content (e.g. over a network from a server, for example) and then transmit at least a portion of that content (e.g. a specific audio component) to one or more receiving devices.

[0124] The example of Figure 8 illustrates different stages within the television as it receives the audiovisual content using DASH.

[0125] While, in this example, the content is audio-visual content, it will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited in this regard and, more generally, the content may be audio only content, for example.

[0126] At the first stage 8000, the television receives a media presentation description (MPD) which describes the different components which are available. In this example, these components include the video, subtitles, English language audio, English language audio description and French language audio, French language audio description. In contrast to the example described with reference Figure 7 of the present disclosure, the audio description audio components are pre-mixed components, which include both the audio description and the audio content in the same audio component (for both the English language and French language audio).

[0127] In this example, the MPD, when received, is used in order to generate the first information which is broadcast. That is, the first information is used in order to list all of the different components which feature in the MPD. Therefore, all available components are advertised (whether they are currently being broadcast by the television or not).

[0128] At the next stage 8002, a player (such as a media player) is configured to acquire the different components which have been required, depending on the settings which have been requested. For example, the television may acquire the required audio components by requesting the audio components from the server. For example, a first user may be using the television in order to watch a program, in English, with subtitles. Accordingly, the player may acquire these different components form the server. That is, in contrast to the example of Figure 7 (where the required components can be obtained by filtering the references from the PMT), in the example of Figure 8, the required components cannot be obtained directly from the MPD. Rather, the MPD provides a list of all the different components which are available. Then, when a component is required, that component (which has been listed as available) can be acquired directly from the server.

[0129] Then, during stages 8004 and 8006, the television may process and display the audio-visual content to the first user, in the same manner as has already been described with reference to Figure 7 of the present disclosure. Therefore, a further description of these stages will not be provided again for brevity of disclosure.

[0130] In this example, similar to Figure 7, a second pipeline is present, in addition to the main television pipeline. This additional second pipeline is used when broadcast of an additional audio component has been requested. Indeed, in this example, the television (an example of a transmitting device as described with reference to Figure 3) has received a request from an assistant, the request being forSpec

[0131] broadcast of the French audio component. Accordingly, upon receiving this request, the television establishes the second pipeline and uses this second pipeline to generate the broadcast stream of the requested audio component.

[0132] In particular, the television must acquire the additional audio component which has been requested (here, the French audio component) from the DASH MPD. In this example implementation, this can be achieved by requesting the additional audio components from the server. Accordingly, the French audio component is then passed to the second pipeline in stage 7002.

[0133] In examples, the additional audio component may be acquired by the same player (media player) as the main television pipeline. However, in examples, a separate player may be provided for the main television pipeline and the additional pipeline.

[0134] Next, the audio component which has been requested can, optionally be processed by an alternative processing pipeline 8004A before broadcast in stage 8006A. The stages 8004A and 8006A are similar to the stages 7004A and 7006A as have been described with reference to Figure 7 of the present disclosure. Therefore, further description of these stages will not be provided for brevity of the disclosure.

[0135] Additional Modifications>

[0136] A number of additional modifications of the embodiments of the disclosure will now be described. These additional modifications can be used and combined with the other features of the embodiments of the disclosure which have already been described.

[0137] In the aforementioned examples, the assistant device receives first information from the transmitting device, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission (including both audio components which are currently being transmitted by the transmitting device and audio components which are not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device). The assistant device then, upon receiving selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components, generates a request, requesting the transmitting device to transmit the selected audio component. However, in examples, a user may desire an audio component which is not included within the first information. In such a situation, the assistant device may generate a request for this audio component, upon which the transmitting device may attempt to acquire the audio component for broadcast.

[0138] Consider, for example, a situation where a "silent" display device is provided at a venue (such as a gym). The display device may be displaying visual content (e.g. a television program) but may not be producing any audio. In order to hear the audio, a user may receive a broadcast from the display device (e.g. using an assistant and a receiver (such as headphones)). First information, broadcast from the display device, may indicate to the assistant device of a user the different audio components which are available. For example, the first information may indicate that English language and French language audio components are available. However, the user may wish to hear the audio in a different language, which is not listed in the first information (such as Spanish).

[0139] Accordingly, the user may make a selection, on the assistant device (e.g. using a graphical user interface) in order to request a Spanish audio component corresponding to the visual content. This request may then be sent to the transmitting device.

[0140] Upon receiving the request for the audio content which was not included in the plurality of audio components listed in the first information, the transmitting device may, nevertheless, attempt to acquire the requested audio content. For example, when the transmitting device is a device which isSpec

[0141] streaming audio-visual content over a network from the server, the transmitting device may request that the server provides the additional audio component, if such a component is available. Here, for example, the transmitting device may request that the server provides the Spanish language audio component. Even though not listed (e.g. in the MPD) as available, the server may be able to provide the additional audio component which has been requested. For example, the server may be able to obtain a translation of one or more of the other audio components (e.g. the English language audio component) in order to generate the Spanish language audio. Alternatively, the server may be able to locate the additional audio component which has been requested, even if not originally listed in the MPD. If the additional audio component can be provided, the transmitting device will then acquire the additional audio component and generate a new broadcast stream on this basis. In addition, the transmitting device may then add the additional audio component to the first information, such that other audio component is then advertised as available for the other assistant or receiver devices. On the other hand, if, despite attempting to acquire the additional audio component, it is determined that this additional audio component is not available, the transmitting device may provide an indication to the assistant device informing the assistant device that the additional audio component is not available.

[0142] Thus, in embodiments of the disclosure, the circuitry of the transmitting device may be configured to receive a second request from the assistant device, the second request comprising a request for a third audio component which is not included as part of the plurality of audio components, acquire the third audio component based at least in part on the second request; and transmit the acquired third audio component as a third audio stream by broadcast transmission. Furthermore, in embodiments of the disclosure, the circuitry of the transmitting device may be configured to add the third audio component to the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission. As has been described, in embodiments of the disclosure, the audio component is provided (via broadcast transmission) to the assistant device or receiver, such that the assistant device or receiver can output the requested audio content to the user. In some examples, the audio component which is received may not be associated with any digital visual content (e.g. if providing audio description of physical exhibits at a museum, for example). However, in other examples, the audio component which is received may be associated with certain visual content (e.g. when using a "silent" display device in a venue such as a gym, for example). In such a situation, the visual content displayed on the display device and the audio component output by the assistant device or receiver may have different processing timescales. For example, certain picture processing applied to the visual content on the display device may delay the visual display of the visual content compared to the audio content. As such, in examples, to maintain synchronization between the visual content displayed by the display device and the corresponding audio component output by the assistant or receiver, the transmitting device (the display device in this example) may apply a delay to the audio content (corresponding to the picture processing delay) prior to its broadcast. In such a manner synchronicity of the audio-visual content can be maintained.

[0143] As has been described, the embodiments of the disclosure can be used in a number of different example situations. When applied to live content (e.g. sporting events, or the like) the audio component may be broadcast to the assistant / receiver devices as it is acquired by the transmitting device (subject to any processing delay as mentioned above). However, when applied to prerecorded content, the audio component may only be broadcast when requested by an assistant or receiver. Consider, for example, an example situation of a transmitting device, assistant device and receiver at a venue such as a museum. In this example, a user may be able to request an audio description of a given exhibit on the assistant device, such that their receiver (e.g. headphones)Spec

[0144] outputs the audio description for that exhibit. In this situation, the audio description is a prerecorded audio component (e.g. a 1 minute description of the exhibit). The audio description should start at the beginning when requested by a user. Accordingly, in this situation, the transmitting device will advertise, in the first information, that an audio description of the exhibit is available (e.g. in English, French and the like). When a user requests that audio content, the transmitting device will initiate broadcast of that audio component, from the beginning of the audio description. Any other users (e.g. members of a same tour) who wish to listen to the audio description at the same time may then also receive this broadcast transmission (based on the advertisement of this audio component in the first information). However, after a given period of time after the start of the audio description (e.g. 10 seconds) the transmitting device may remove the audio content from the first information. Accordingly, at this time, no further assistant devices or receivers will be able to receive the stream (as its presence will not be advertised in the first information). This prevents a user from receiving the audio description of the exhibit part way through the audio description (once the initial period of time has passed). In examples, at this same time, the transmitting device may be configured to add a duplicate audio component of the audio description to the first information for that exhibit. However, this duplicate audio component, even though advertised, will not be broadcast until it has been requested by a user. When requested, a new broadcast stream will be established based on the duplicated audio component, which will then then be transmitted; this new broadcast stream will start, again, at the beginning of the audio description. In examples, the original broadcast transmission of the audio description and the new, duplicate, broadcast transmission of the audio description may run concurrently (albeit at different time points within the audio description). In examples, the duplicate audio components may be labelled for a specific user. In examples, the duplicate audio components may not necessarily be labelled for a specific user. However, if the duplicate audio components are labelled for a specific user, the duplicate audio components may include a specific identifier (either within the duplicate audio component or within the transmission stream) which identifies that the duplicate audio component is for a specific user. In examples, only the specific user (or, indeed, plurality of users) for who the duplicate stream is labelled may access the duplicate stream.

[0145] Once a given audio component has completed (i.e. at the end of the audio description) that audio stream can be ended (and, optionally, the audio description becomes available for selection by a user from the beginning).

[0146] Thus, in examples, when the request comprising the request for transmission of the second audio component is received, the circuitry of the transmitting device may be configured to remove the second audio component from the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission. Furthermore, in examples, the circuitry of the transmitting device may be configured to add a duplicate audio component of the second audio component to the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission when removing the second audio component.

[0147] <Example Methods>

[0148] Consider, now, Figure 9 of the present disclosure. Figure 9 illustrates an example method in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0149] The example method of Figure 9 may be implemented by a transmitting device such as that illustrated with reference to Figure 3 of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the method of Figure 9 may be implemented by an apparatus such as that described with reference to Figure 1 of the present disclosure, for example.Spec

[0150] The method of Figure 9 starts at step S9000 and proceeds to step S9002.

[0151] In step S9002, the method comprises identifying a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device.

[0152] In step S9004, the method comprises transmitting, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

[0153] In step S9006, the method comprises receiving a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component.

[0154] In step S9008, the method comprises acquiring the second audio component based at least in part on the request.

[0155] Step S9010 comprises transmitting the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0156] The method then proceeds to, and ends with, step S9012.

[0157] Consider, now, Figure 10 of the present disclosure. Figure 10 illustrates an example method in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

[0158] The example method of Figure 10 may be implemented by an assistant device such as that illustrated with reference to Figure 4 of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the method of Figure 10 may be implemented by an apparatus such as that described with reference to Figure 1 of the present disclosure, for example.

[0159] The method of Figure 10 starts at step S10000 and proceeds to step S10002.

[0160] Step S10002 comprises receiving first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device.

[0161] In step S10004, the method comprises receiving selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components.

[0162] Step S10006 comprises generating a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component.

[0163] Step S10008 comprises transmitting the request to the transmitting device.

[0164] The method then proceeds to, and ends with, step S10010.

[0165] With the method of Figure 9 of the present disclosure and / or the method of Figure 10 of the present disclosure, more efficient communication in a wireless system when establishing and broadcasting audio streams can be achieved. In particular, it becomes possible for an assistant device to requestSpec

[0166] that the transmitting device begins broadcast of a new audio stream, comprising audio which was not currently being broadcast by the transmitting device.

[0167] It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is not particularly limited to the example methods which are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. For example, a number of the steps of these methods can be performed in a different order than illustrated in Figure 9 or Figure 10. Furthermore, a number of the steps of these methods may be performed in parallel to each other. In some examples, a number of additional method steps (not shown in these examples) may also be included in the methods as required. Furthermore, in some examples, one or more of the method steps of Figure 9 or Figure 10 may be repeated as required. Therefore, the present disclosure is not particularly limited to the specific illustration of the example methods shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0168] <Computer Program>

[0169] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the methods of the present disclosure may be carried out on conventional hardware (such as that described previously herein) suitably adapted as applicable by software instruction or by the inclusion or substitution of dedicated hardware. Thus, the required adaptation to existing parts of a conventional equivalent device may be implemented in the form of a computer program product comprising processor implementable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable medium such as a floppy disk, optical disk, hard disk, PROM, RAM, flash memory or any combination of these or other storage media, or realized in hardware as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or other configurable circuit suitable to use in adapting the conventional equivalent device. Separately, such a computer program may be transmitted via data signals on a network such as an Ethernet, a wireless network, the Internet, or any combination of these or other networks.

[0170] <Clauses>

[0171] Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosure can be arranged in accordance with the following numbered clauses:

[0172] 1) A transmitting device for broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the transmitting device comprising circuitry configured to:

[0173] identify a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0174] transmit, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;

[0175] receive a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;

[0176] acquire the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.Spec

[0177] 2) The transmitting device according to clause 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of audio components, the first information comprises an indication as to whether the audio component is currently being transmitted.

[0178] 3) The transmitting device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive a second request from the assistant device, the second request comprising a request for a third audio component which is not included as part of the plurality of audio components, and wherein the circuitry is further configured to acquire the third audio component based at least in part on the second request; and transmit the acquired third audio component as a third audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0179] 4) The transmitting device according to clause 3, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add the third audio component to the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

[0180] 5) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of audio components corresponds to a different language translation of an audio content. 6) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein when the request comprising the request for transmission of the second audio component is received, the circuitry is configured to remove the second audio component from the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

[0181] 7) The transmitting device according to clause 6, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add a duplicate audio component of the second audio component to the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission when removing the second audio component.

[0182] 8) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein when the request from the assistant device comprises a request for transmission of more than one audio component from the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the circuitry is configured to acquire the requested audio components based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired audio components as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0183] 9) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein the circuitry is configured to transmit a combination of the plurality audio components which are of a given type as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0184] 10) The transmitting device according to clause 8 or 9, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add the combined audio stream to the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

[0185] 11) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein the transmitting device is configured to acquire audio components for transmission by filtering of a broadcast transmission.

[0186] 12) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein the transmitting device is configured to acquire audio components for transmission by requesting the audio components from a server.

[0187] 13) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform transmission using a short range wireless communication.Spec

[0188] 14) The transmitting device according to any preceding clause, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform audio processing on the second audio stream independently to the first audio stream.

[0189] 15) A television comprising the transmitting device according to any preceding clause.

[0190] 16) An assistant device for requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the assistant device comprising circuitry configured to:

[0191] receive first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0192] receive selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;

[0193] generate a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; and

[0194] transmit the request to the transmitting device.

[0195] 17) The assistant device according to clause 16, wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device.

[0196] 18) The assistant device according to clause 16, wherein the circuitry is further configured to transmit a control signal to a receiving device, the control signal configured to cause the receiving device to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device. 19) The assistance device according to any of clauses 16 to 18, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive selection information through a user interface.

[0197] 20) A method of broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:

[0198] identifying a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0199] transmitting, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;

[0200] receiving a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;

[0201] acquiring the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmitting the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0202] 21) A method of requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:Spec

[0203] receiving first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0204] receiving selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;

[0205] generating a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; and

[0206] transmitting the request to the transmitting device.

[0207] 22) A computer program comprising instructions which, when implemented by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:

[0208] identifying a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0209] transmitting, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;

[0210] receiving a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;

[0211] acquiring the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmitting the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

[0212] 23) A computer program comprising instructions which, when implemented by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:

[0213] receiving first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;

[0214] receiving selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;

[0215] generating a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; andSpec

[0216] transmitting the request to the transmitting device.

[0217] 24) A system comprising the transmitting device according to any of clauses 1 to 14, the assistant device according to any of clauses 16 to 19, and a receiving device, wherein the receiving device comprises circuitry configured to receive a control signal from the assistant device and receive the second audio component form the transmitting device based at least in part on the control signal which has been received.

[0218] In so far as embodiments of the disclosure have been described as being implemented, at least in part, by software-controlled data processing apparatus, it will be appreciated that a non-transitory machine-readable medium carrying such software, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, semiconductor memory or the like, is also considered to represent an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0219] It will be appreciated that the above description for clarity has described embodiments with reference to different functional units, circuitry and / or processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, circuitry and / or processors may be used without detracting from the embodiments.

[0220] Described embodiments may be implemented in any suitable form including hardware, software, firmware or any combination of these. Described embodiments may optionally be implemented at least partly as computer software running on one or more data processors and / or digital signal processors. The elements and components of any embodiment may be physically, functionally and logically implemented in any suitable way. Indeed the functionality may be implemented in a single unit, in a plurality of units or as part of other functional units. As such, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented in a single unit or may be physically and functionally distributed between different units, circuitry and / or processors.

[0221] Although the present disclosure has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in any manner suitable to implement the technique.

Claims

SpecCLAIMS1. A transmitting device for broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the transmitting device comprising circuitry configured to:identify a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;transmit, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;receive a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;acquire the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

2. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein, for each of the plurality of audio components, the first information comprises an indication as to whether the audio component is currently being transmitted.

3. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive a second request from the assistant device, the second request comprising a request for a third audio component which is not included as part of the plurality of audio components, and wherein the circuitry is further configured to acquire the third audio component based at least in part on the second request; and transmit the acquired third audio component as a third audio stream by broadcast transmission.

4. The transmitting device according to claim 3, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add the third audio component to the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

5. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of audio components corresponds to a different language translation of an audio content.

6. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein when the request comprising the request for transmission of the second audio component is received, the circuitry is configured to remove the second audio component from the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

7. The transmitting device according to claim 6, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add a duplicate audio component of the second audio component to the indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission when removing the second audio component.

8. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein when the request from the assistant device comprises a request for transmission of more than one audio component from the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the circuitry isSpecconfigured to acquire the requested audio components based at least in part on the request; and transmit the acquired audio components as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission.

9. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to transmit a combination of the plurality audio components which are of a given type as a single combined audio stream by broadcast transmission.

10. The transmitting device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the circuitry is further configured to add the combined audio stream to the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission.

11. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is configured to acquire audio components for transmission by filtering of a broadcast transmission.

12. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting device is configured to acquire audio components for transmission by requesting the audio components from a server.

13. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform transmission using a short range wireless communication.

14. The transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform audio processing on the second audio stream independently to the first audio stream.

15. A television comprising the transmitting device according to claim 1.

16. An assistant device for requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the assistant device comprising circuitry configured to:receive first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;receive selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;generate a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; andtransmit the request to the transmitting device.

17. The assistant device according to claim 16, wherein the circuitry is further configured to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device.

18. The assistant device according to claim 16, wherein the circuitry is further configured to transmit a control signal to a receiving device, the control signal configured to cause the receiving device to receive the second audio component from the transmitting device.

19. The assistance device according to claim 16, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive selection information through a user interface.Spec20. A method of broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:identifying a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;transmitting, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;receiving a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;acquiring the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmitting the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

21. A method of requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising: receiving first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;receiving selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;generating a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; andtransmitting the request to the transmitting device.

22. A computer program comprising instructions which, when implemented by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:identifying a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by the transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;transmitting, by broadcast transmission, first information, the first information comprising an indication of the plurality of audio components which are available for transmission;receiving a request from an assistant device, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component;Specacquiring the second audio component based at least in part on the request; and transmitting the acquired second audio component as a second audio stream by broadcast transmission.

23. A computer program comprising instructions which, when implemented by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method of requesting broadcast transmission of an audio stream, the method comprising:receiving first information, the first information comprising an indication of a plurality of audio components which are available for transmission, the audio components comprising at least a first audio component which is currently being transmitted by a transmitting device as a first audio stream by broadcast transmission and a second audio component which is not currently being transmitted by the transmitting device;receiving selection information, the selection information comprising a selection of one of the plurality of audio components;generating a request when the selection of one of the plurality of audio components is a selection of the second audio component, the request comprising a request for transmission of the second audio component; andtransmitting the request to the transmitting device.

24. A system comprising the transmitting device according to claim 1, the assistant device according to claim 16 and a receiving device, wherein the receiving device comprises circuitry configured to receive a control signal from the assistant device and receive the second audio component form the transmitting device based at least in part on the control signal which has been received.

Images