Audio Forwarding Device Wireless Streaming Private Listening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio distribution methods in home entertainment systems are inflexible and disturb others who are not interested in watching television, as they require direct connection to audio jacks and do not allow for private audio consumption.
Innovation Solution
An audio forwarding device that receives a synchronized video and audio stream, allowing the audio to be wirelessly streamed to a mobile computing device for private listening, enabling users to listen to audio on a smartphone or tablet without disturbing others, and allowing for customizable volume settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If audio is transmitted through traditional audio jacks to headphones, then audio can be privately consumed, but the connection method is inflexible and requires direct physical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless communication intermediary (Bluetooth module) between the audio source and headphones, replacing direct physical audio jack connections. This intermediary enables wireless audio transmission and allows compatibility with various devices that have Bluetooth capabilities, solving both the flexibility and adaptability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection system (audio jacks and cables) with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical connections, providing greater operational flexibility and ease of use while maintaining audio transmission functionality.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If audio is played through display speakers, then audio is accessible to all users, but it disturbs users who are not interested in watching television
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the audio distribution into separate channels: one for display speakers (for users watching television) and another for wireless headphones (for users not interested in television). This segmentation allows different users to have different audio experiences simultaneously, preventing audio disturbance to those not watching while maintaining easy operation through automatic or simple manual selection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple users share a home entertainment system, then all users can access the same audio, but users with hearing loss cannot listen at higher volume levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different volume levels for different output devices. The display speakers maintain a standard volume suitable for general viewing, while wireless headphones can be configured with higher volume levels for users with hearing loss. This localized customization provides personalized audio settings without significantly increasing system complexity, as each device operates independently with its own volume control.
Data Source
AI summary
An audio forwarding device includes a media interface that is configured to receive a media stream, the media stream includes a video stream and an audio stream, the audio stream being synchronized with the video stream. A display interface is configured to transmit the video stream to a display for display of the video stream, and a wireless data network interface is configured to stream the audio stream in the form of digital data to a mobile computing device over a digital wireless data connection for the mobile computing device to play the audio stream on a headphone interface.