WO2015082082A1

WO2015082082A1 - Method and system for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals

Info

Publication number: WO2015082082A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/051923
Authority: WO
Inventors: Till-Henning MOHME
Original assignee: Onears Germany Gmbh
Priority date: 2013-12-04
Filing date: 2014-01-31
Publication date: 2015-06-11
Also published as: DE202014100437U1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals (9), and to a system for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals. The method comprises encoding the audio signal (3, 4) into an audio stream, emitting the audio stream in a wireless local network (8), receiving the audio stream by means of a plurality of mobile terminals (9), and outputting the audio stream to users by means of ear-based hearing devices (12), which are in contact with the respective mobile terminals (9).

Description

Method and system for transmitting an audio signal

The invention relates to a method for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals and to a system for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals. In particular, the invention relates to the transmission of voice data to hearing aids or headphones. In public areas, such as churches, museums or the like, spatially installed induction loops are already provided, which interact with internal induction coils of hearing aids. In this case, analog audio signals are transmitted to the hearing aids. Such internal induction coils of the hearing aids are also used for telephoning. This transmission technology is limited to special hearing aids with relatively large space-consuming induction coils.

The document DE 10 2005 048 894 B4 describes a method and an arrangement for locally limited, wireless transmission of audio or video signals. In this case, no integration of hearing aids is provided and further special known to the system receiving devices are needed.

The combination of induction loops and induction coils offers only a limited area of effect in the area of the fixed loop zone. Structurally caused interference, such as ballasts of fluorescent lamps, transformers, power lines and concrete floors, always a considerable susceptibility is given, as these disturbances distort and weaken the spread of the induction field. Another weak point of the inductive coupling is a frequent unwanted operation of the induction loop, since a malfunction is often not directly noticed or checked by the users.

With wired external audio devices for hearing aids handling is complicated and costly, since the number is limited and there is a considerable maintenance for the batteries of the audio devices. These audio equipment must be kept by the organizer and are not used by normal listeners without special accessories. The invention is based on the object to improve the transmission of an audio signal in public spaces.

This object is achieved with a method according to claim 1 and a system according to claim 8. Advantageous developments of the invention follow in the subclaims.

The inventive method for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals comprises the following steps:

- encoding the audio signal into an audio stream;

Broadcasting the audio stream in a wireless local area network;

Receiving the audio stream by a plurality of mobile terminals;

Outputting the audio stream to users by means of ear-based hearing devices, each in contact with the mobile terminals.

The method according to the invention allows the transmission or propagation of audio signals in a region of a wireless local area network, such as a WLAN (wireless local area network) network. Such networks typically have ranges in buildings from 30 meters to about 100 meters. Thus, the transmission range is significantly larger compared to the induction loop. In addition, the method can be adapted to an almost unlimited number of users, for example via the use of repeaters, multiple access points, for example routers of the network or by suitable choice of transmission channels of the network. Other advantages are that a consistently conversion-free digital transmission path is provided that provides improved audio quality. This also contributes to the fact that there are no more humidities because the induction technique is dispensed with. Since the proposed method is versatile and modular, it is also possible for the first time that normally hearing users use this transmission of audio signals. The use of the mobile terminals allows a freedom of choice from a wide range of different hearing devices.

The encoding of the audio signal into an audio stream may be done in a transmitter, such as a wireless router or wireless LAN access point, for broadcasting a wireless local area network. The mobile terminals may be mobile terminals such as mobile phones, mobile computers such as tablets, or the like. The ear-based hearing devices are hearing aids, such as hearing aids or headphones, placed on the body of the user such as ear or ear. Advantageously, it is provided that a program of the mobile terminal manages a dial-in authorization of the mobile terminal in the wireless local area network and / or the audio stream. The program may be, for example, a software routine or an app via which the transmission or communication takes place. Such a program allows a great deal of flexibility, since a relatively simple adaptation of this software makes it possible to make a wide variety of hardware components compatible with the method according to the invention and thus to integrate them.

The mobile terminal may receive the program over the wireless local area network. This further increases the flexibility, since hitherto incompatible mobile devices can download and install the program or the software during operation and can thus spontaneously log in to the infrastructure of the network and thus use the audio content. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the use of the general audio content with individual hearing devices and personal settings, such as volume or frequency response, is possible by the mobile terminals belonging to the listener.

It can be provided that time and / or volume quotas of the transmission are assigned and monitored. This can ensure that the network and / or the mobile terminal are programmed or coded with the program so that only users or users with an acquired or valid contingent can log into the network and use the data. Thus, the utilization or overloading of the wireless local network can be controlled and a commercial use of the audio offer can be made possible.

Preferably, the audio signal is a voice message. Of the considerable improvement in the transmission of an audio signal according to the present method in particular benefit voice data or voice transmissions, since in contrast to musical transmissions as accurately as possible to be perceived information content to be transmitted. It is also advantageous that people who do not wear a hearing aid, in an acoustically difficult environment or sound for the first time get direct access to a signal source via their own mobile device with earphones or headphones. In acoustically difficult spatial conditions, such as those found in a church or in a hall, noise, runtime effects such as reverberation, and the sound that is given create particularly difficult conditions for many people which suffers the sentence intelligibility. These adverse conditions can be circumvented by the method according to the invention.

It is advantageously provided that a speech component of the audio signal is translated, the translation is coded into a further audio stream and this further audio stream is broadcast in a further channel of the network. In a live broadcast, such as a sermon in a church, one or more synchronous translators can translate the words or phrases into one or more foreign languages. These translations are each encoded into another translated audio stream. Each of these further translated audio streams is broadcast or transmitted in another channel of the network. Even with stored announcements, such as in an airport or train station, these announcements can be translated, stored and broadcast via various channels of the network. A latency of the audio output can be in the range up to a maximum of 40 ms, preferably between 3 and 10 ms. The latency of the audio transmission or audio output, in a live transmission, refers to the length of time from the occurrence of a word by the speaker to the receipt of that word in the user's ear. The advantage of this low latency is that a lip-sync transmission is achieved, which improves the overall impression of the user's perception.

The inventive system for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals comprises an encoding unit for encoding the audio signal into an audio stream, a transmitter for broadcasting the audio stream in a wireless local area network, a plurality of mobile terminals for receiving the audio stream, and Ear-based hearing devices for outputting the audio stream to users, wherein a hearing device is in contact with a mobile terminal. The same advantages and modifications apply as described above. The hearing device may be a hearing aid, a headphone, an earphone, a headset and / or a mobile induction loop. The described devices are well suited for combination with a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, and already exist for most users. This allows a high integration of the system can be achieved. A hearing aid, such as an in-ear hearing aid, can either be controlled directly by the mobile terminal, which is certainly preferable due to the then purely digital transmission path, or it is an indirect control or transmission possible by the audio signal is transmitted to the hearing aid via a headset connected to the mobile terminal.

Preferably, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone, a mobile computer or a hearing device with a network receiver that is suitable for the wireless local area network. In principle, the mobile terminal can be any device. However, it must be compatible with the wireless local area network and be able to output the audio stream to the hearing device. In addition, the mobile terminal should be able to execute a program or app for transmission. Furthermore, the mobile terminal should output the audio stream or live stream made available by the program without delay to a hearing device. The example of the smartphone, there are several interfaces that can forward audio signals to a hearing device. In the case of the hearing aid connection, this is done for example via a Bluetooth connection or via a jack connection with a connected mobile induction loop for the hearing aid.

The hearing device with a network receiver suitable for the wireless local area network can be designed, for example, as headphones with integrated receiver, preferably for a WLAN standard. Such a WLAN headset or a corresponding WLAN hearing aid can be used easily and flexibly.

The transmitter can be a WLAN transmitter. A WLAN infrastructure is particularly suitable for larger rooms, such as those in churches, railway stations, cinemas, stadiums, town halls, city halls or similar facilities. In addition, this standard is now widely used for a variety of mobile devices and allows a large number of simultaneously participating in a network mobile devices. All WLAN standards or protocols can be used. WLAN transmitters are, for example, routers, access points or repeaters. Preferably, the connection between the mobile terminal and the hearing device is wired or a Bluetooth radio link. The Bluetooth infrastructure has many applications for near-field connections and devices are available, so this technology is particularly well suited. In this case, the mobile terminal effectively acts as a translator between the wireless local area network for the general transmission of audio content from a source to a plurality of mobile terminals on the one hand and a Bluetooth local connection between the particular mobile terminal and the associated special listening facility of the one User on the other hand. This implementation happens increasingly faster and without loss of quality.

Preferably, the connection between the transmitter and the mobile terminal is encrypted. This protects the transmission from unauthorized listening. This can be used for trusted content or for the exclusivity of paid content.

The invention will be explained below in embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the system according to the invention for the transmission of an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a mobile terminal.

1 shows a schematic representation of a system 1 for transmitting one or more audio signals to a plurality of mobile terminals. An audio source 2 outputs one or more audio signals 3 and 4, respectively. The audio source 2 can be, for example, a microphone which generates an analog audio signal 3 or an already digitally converted audio signal 4 from spoken words. On the other hand, the audio source 2 may have a memory in which recorded audio signals such as voice messages or voice messages are stored. These stored audio signals can then be output as analog audio signal 3 or as digital audio signal 4. The one or more audio signals 3 and 4 are output to a transmitter 5. The transmitter 5 is here, for example, a WLAN transmitter, for example, according to the WLAN IEEE standard 802.1 1 n or similar standards. The WLAN transmitter 5 contains a coding unit 6, which is connected to inputs of the transmitter and converts the incoming audio signals 3 and 4 into one or more audio streams or live streams or encoded. An output of the coding unit 6 is connected to an output of the transmitter 5. One or more antennas 7 are connected to this output and generate a reception area or a local radio network 8 shown schematically here. The radio network 8 can be constructed by several transmitters, which then work, for example, as a wireless access point, router or repeater. The coding unit 6 can also be designed as an independent unit or as part of the audio source 2. Furthermore, it is possible that the audio signal is translated or already translated. In this case, for example, the audio signal 3 may be a digital audio signal in German, while the audio signal 4 is a digital audio signal in English. These two audio signals 3 and 4 are each converted into an audio stream. These two audio streams are then broadcast via different channels of the WLAN network 8 by the transmitter 5, for example.

In the receiving or transmitting area 8, which is arranged, for example, within a church, there are a plurality of mobile terminals 9 and 10, in particular mobile terminals, such as mobile phones or mobile computers, such as tablets. The difference between the mobile terminals 9 and 10 is that the mobile terminals 9 have established a wireless WLAN connection 1 1 to the transmitter 5, more specifically its antenna 7. About this connection 1 1, the audio stream is transmitted and received by each mobile terminal 9. The mobile terminals 10 may be in communication with the transmitter 5, but they may not participate in the exchange of infrastructure messages, such as so-called beacon signals, to the audio stream.

FIG. 2 shows a mobile terminal 9 with associated exemplary ear-based hearing devices 12 in more detail. The mobile terminal 9 is here a WLAN-enabled and App-enabled mobile phone or smartphone. Accordingly, the smartphone 9 contains a program or app 13, which manages the connection to the transmitter 5, the transmission of the audio stream, billing modalities, access permissions, encryption and / or connection statistics.

In a concrete example in a church, the audio source 2 is a microphone into which a sermon is spoken. This audio signal 3 or 4 is transmitted to the transmitter 5, where it is coded in the coding unit 6 in a live stream and transmitted via the antenna 7. Upon an indication, the user of the smartphone 9 can download the program 13 for the first time via the smartphone 9 from the Internet, for example via an app shop, and install it on the smartphone 9. Alternatively, the program can be downloaded from or via the transmitter 5. The subscription of the program 13 may be charged or later transfer of the audio stream to the mobile terminal 9 may be chargeable. After installation of the program 13, the mobile terminal 9 can participate in the transmission of the audio stream. Thus, for example, the WLAN transmission 1 1 can be encrypted, in which case the program 13 receives and / or decodes the contents of the transmission, more precisely the audio stream with the audio signal 3 or 4. Now that the audio stream is usable in the mobile terminal 9, this is transmitted to a hearing device 12 of the user.

FIG. 2 shows by way of example a plurality of ear-based hearing devices 12. The term ear-based in the context of this application means that the audio stream is purposefully transmitted to the user's ears. This can be seen as distinct from speakers or boxes that broadcast an audio signal undirected over a larger space and perceptibly by multiple users. A first hearing device is a Bluetooth hearing aid 14 that is fixed in the ear or ear of the user or listener. The hearing device 14 may also be a hearing aid with Bluetooth accessories, for example a remote control with Bluetooth connectivity, which uses its own radio link with the hearing aid. This ensures a high-quality digital connection from the transmitter 5 or the audio source 2 to the hearing aid 14 located directly on or in the ear. Thus, the audio signal 3 or 4 is output to the user in a targeted, clear and low-latency manner.

Another device is a Bluetooth headset 15, which is also connected via a Bluetooth interface of the mobile terminal 9 to this. This headset or the headphone 15 can be used on the one hand by normal hearing people and on the other by in-ear hearing aid users whose hearing aids do not have an interface compatible with the mobile terminal 9. Instead of a Bluetooth connection between the mobile terminal 9 and the hearing devices 14 and 15, a suitable other near-field radio connection can be used.

Another way to connect the ear-based hearing devices 12 with the mobile terminal 9 is a wired connection. For this purpose, for example, a jack connection of the mobile terminal 9 can be used. In a first example, a mobile induction loop 16 is connected via a line to the jack terminal of the mobile terminal 9. The mobile induction loop 16 in turn is connected via an inductive coupling 17 with a hearing device 18 of the user. Also, this indirect connection between the hearing aid 18 and the mobile terminal 9 is targeted to a user, since the inductive coupling 17 is spatially very limited. Furthermore, similar to the Bluetooth headset 15, a headphone or earphone 19 may be connected to the mobile terminal 9 via a cable. Finally, it may be provided to integrate the functionality of the mobile terminal 9 into a hearing device 12. In other words, then the hearing device 12 participates directly in the network 8 of the transmitter 5, so that a conversion of the audio signal or the audio stream between a mobile terminal 9 and the hearing device 12 can be omitted. In the example shown here, the headphones 15 and 19 may be formed, for example, as wireless headphones. The program 13 required for the transmission is then embodied as hardware and / or software in the hearing device 12. These WLAN headphones or other WLAN-enabled hearing devices can then be issued, rented or sold by the operator or owner of the transmitter 5, for example.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 system

2 audio source

3 analog audio signal

4 digitally converted audio signal

5 stations

6 coding unit

7 antenna

8 wireless network

9 mobile device

10 mobile device

1 1 WLAN connection / WLAN transmission

12 hearing device

13 app / program

14 Bluetooth hearing aid

15 Bluetooth headphones

16 mobile induction loop

17 inductive coupling

18 hearing aid

19 headphones or earphones

Claims

claims

1 . Method for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals (9), comprising the following steps:

- Coding the audio signal (3, 4) in an audio stream;

Broadcasting the audio stream in a wireless local area network (8);

Receiving the audio stream by a plurality of mobile terminals (9);

Outputting the audio stream to users by means of ear-based hearing devices (12), each in contact with the mobile terminals (9).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a program (13) of the mobile terminal (9) manages a Einwahl authorization of the mobile terminal (9) in the wireless local area network (8) and / or the audio stream.

The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile terminal (9) receives the program (13) via the wireless local area network (8).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein time and / or volume contingents of the transmission (1 1) awarded and monitored.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the audio signal (3, 4) is a voice message.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a voice portion of the audio signal (3, 4) is translated, the translation is encoded in another audio stream and this further audio stream in another channel of the network (8) emitted becomes.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a latency of the audio output in the range up to a maximum of 40 ms, preferably between 3 and 10 ms, is located.

A system for transmitting an audio signal to a plurality of mobile terminals (9), comprising an encoding unit (6) for encoding the audio signal (3, 4) into an audio stream, a transmitter (5) for broadcasting the audio stream in a wireless local network (8), a plurality of mobile terminals (9) for receiving the audio stream, and ear-based listening devices (12) for outputting the audio stream to users, wherein a hearing device (12) with a mobile terminal (9) is in contact.

9. System according to claim 8, wherein the hearing device (12) comprises a hearing aid (14), a headset (15, 19), an earphone (15, 19), a headset (15, 19) and / or a mobile induction loop (16) is.

10. The system of claim 8 or 9, wherein the mobile terminal (9) is a mobile phone, a smartphone, a mobile computer or a hearing device (12) with a network receiver.

1 1. A system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the transmitter (5) is a WLAN transmitter.

12. System according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1, wherein the connection between the mobile terminal (9) and the hearing device (12) is wired or a Bluetooth radio link.

13. System according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the connection (1 1) between the transmitter (5) and the mobile terminal (9) is encrypted.