Wireless Audio Broadcast Reception via Mobile Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
In public or commercial spaces, audio sources like TVs and radios are often kept at low volumes or turned off to minimize disturbance, making it inconvenient for users to listen to programming without adjusting the volume or moving closer, and existing technologies do not effectively facilitate wireless reception of digital audio streams across personal area networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that enable a wireless network mobile computing device to discover and facilitate the reception of digital audio streams from wireless network audio broadcast devices over a wireless personal area network, allowing direct connection or acting as a forwarding agent between the broadcast device and listening devices, based on current operating conditions and device capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If audio sources are kept at low volume or turned off in public spaces, then disturbance to customers is minimized, but user convenience to listen to programming deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audio reception function by introducing wireless listening devices that can independently receive and play audio streams from broadcast devices, separating the audio output from the display device and allowing individual volume control for each listening device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless personal area network as an intermediary system that enables audio transmission from broadcast devices to listening devices without requiring physical proximity or volume adjustment of the source device, thus resolving the conflict between low-volume operation and user convenience.
2Measurement precision
If users move closer to the audio source to hear better, then audio quality improves, but user mobility and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions audio transmission from a spatial proximity-based model to a wireless signal-based model, allowing users to receive audio quality equivalent to being near the source while maintaining freedom of movement throughout the space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If legacy listening devices are used that cannot receive broadcasts directly, then device compatibility is maintained, but wireless reception capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile computing device acts as an intermediary that receives the digital audio stream from the broadcast device and retransmits it to legacy listening devices, enabling these devices to function wirelessly without requiring direct broadcast reception capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal solution that works with both modern devices capable of direct broadcast reception and legacy devices that cannot, by providing multiple pathways for audio transmission through the wireless network infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various embodiments are disclosed for facilitating reception of a digital audio stream over a wireless personal area network (PAN). At a wireless network mobile computing device, a wireless network audio broadcast device is discovered. The wireless network audio broadcast device is operable to provide a digital audio stream over a wireless PAN. The wireless network mobile computing device facilitates the reception of the digital audio stream over the wireless PAN by a wireless network audio listening device.