Wireless Audio Image Multiplexing via Key Frame Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless audio broadcast systems lack the capability to transmit and display synchronized visual information, such as images, alongside audio content.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for wirelessly transmitting and receiving an audio data stream that includes an arrangement for inserting and displaying images, utilizing a source selector, image editor, compressor, and graphical picture show composer, and an image server to synchronize images with audio services in digital radio systems like satellite radio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If images are transmitted alongside audio data in wireless broadcast systems, then visual information capability is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential visual information (key frames and difference frames) needed to convey image content, rather than transmitting complete image data. This selective extraction of critical visual elements reduces the amount of data transmitted while maintaining the ability to display synchronized images with audio content.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different transmission qualities to different types of image data. Key frames are transmitted with higher quality and more frequently, while difference frames (which contain only changes from previous frames) are transmitted with lower quality and less frequently. This localized quality adjustment optimizes bandwidth usage based on the specific needs of each image component.
2Adaptability or versatility
If image processing functions are added to the broadcast system, then image transmission capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image transmission function into separate processing stages: key frame generation, difference frame calculation, compression, and reconstruction. Each stage is handled by dedicated components within the broadcast system, allowing image transmission capability to be added without requiring complete system redesign. This modular segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the image processing task into manageable, independent functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the image processing components to perform multiple functions within the broadcast system. The same compression algorithms and processing pipelines used for audio data are also applied to image data, allowing existing infrastructure to handle both audio and visual content. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by reusing established components rather than creating dedicated new systems.
3Ease of operation
If images are synchronized with audio programs, then user experience is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary synchronization by pre-tagging image data with temporal markers and audio program identifiers during the image processing stage. This preliminary action ensures that when audio and image data are transmitted, they are already prepared for synchronization, reducing the processing burden during real-time playback. The synchronization metadata is prepared in advance, allowing for easier and less computationally intensive alignment during reproduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for adding images to a wireless audio service. The invention is adapted for use in a system for wirelessly transmitting and receiving an audio data stream and includes an arrangement for providing an image and a mechanism for inserting the image into the data stream prior to transmission thereof. In the illustrative embodiment, a third arrangement is provided for receiving and decoding the data stream to extract and a fourth arrangement is included for displaying the image while the audio signal is output. The fourth arrangement may be a digital radio, i.e., a radio adapted to process digital signals, such as a satellite radio, high definition radio, digital AM or other suitable primarily audio wireless communication system. In a specific embodiment, the invention includes an arrangement for automatically inserting a selected image in the stream. In the illustrative embodiment, this arrangement includes a source selector, an image editor coupled to the source selector, an image resizer, an image compressor, and an arrangement for allowing a user to add text, color, style and/or other information to an image output by the compressor. The invention further includes an arrangement for adding images from an archive to the stream and a graphical picture show composer for providing an image queue. An image server is included for feeding the image queue to the output data stream provided by a system server such as an XM or Sirius satellite radio server.