IT202000003937A1 - AUDIO DIFFUSION KIT - Google Patents

Description

AUDIO DIFFUSION KIT

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equipment for listening to music and, more? in general, the use of audio content. In particular, the subject of the present invention is an audio diffusion kit for the use of music coming from the so-called? Web-radios? o traditional FM radios that also transmit via the internet, which includes an audio broadcasting device in digital format, and an electronic device management program, such as a so-called? app ?, which can be installed on electronic communication devices, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers and the like, capable of interacting with a data network in order to interface with said radios.

State of the art

[0002] How? known, personal communication devices such as mobile phones? smart, or so-called Smartphones, so? like other electronic devices that can connect to the Internet, they allow you to listen to music directly online. Such electronic devices, for example, are able to connect to web addresses relating to so-called web-radios and listen to the schedules of these directly from the speakers of the device or through headphones.

[0003] Furthermore, audio diffusion apparatuses are known which have the possibility? to connect wirelessly to electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, etc. in order to be able to reproduce the audio with a quality? and higher power than that built into the electronic device from which the music comes.

[0004] These audio diffusion apparatuses are nothing more than speakers which reproduce the audio of the electronic device to which they are connected, without actively interacting with them, resulting in practice as an extension of these. Therefore, the user who is listening to music from the external diffusion apparatus will have to? necessarily interact with the electronic device if it needs to make some changes to us? who listens, with the obvious inconvenience? which may result from this operation, especially if the user is far from the electronic device.

Summary

[0005] Purpose of the present invention? that of creating a system for listening to digital audio contents coming from a data network using an electronic device, which can increase the ease? management of listening by the user.

[0006] Still an important object of the present invention? that of creating a system for listening to digital audio content coming from a data network using an electronic device, which is easily customizable to increase the immersive listening experience for a user.

[0007] These and other purposes, which will be more? clear later, they are reached with an audio diffusion kit to be associated with electronic communication devices, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers and the like, capable of interacting with a data network, said kit comprising:

- a broadcasting apparatus comprising at least one loudspeaker and a data connection module operably connectable to said electronic communication device interacting with a data network,

- an electronic program able to be installed on said electronic communication device for the management of said broadcasting apparatus, said electronic program, once installed on said electronic communication device, being able to manage a plurality of communication devices. of audio data flows coming from the data network with which the electronic communication device interacts and to allow the sending of said audio data flows from said electronic communication device to said audio broadcasting apparatus,

in which said audio diffusion apparatus? equipped with a keyboard for selecting audio data streams to be listened to through said at least one loudspeaker, said keyboard defining a plurality of audio data flows. of selection positions, said electronic program being able to program said selection positions so that a desired audio data flow is associated with each position, whereby pressing in correspondence with a given selection position of the keyboard sends a start signal playback of a given audio data stream.

[0008] For a given audio data stream we mean the stream of audio data coming for example from a given network address, such as for example a specific network address relating to a web-radio or an FM radio that also broadcasts via the internet .

[0009] Suitably, each keyboard selection position? associated with a label visible to the user; this label identifies a desired stream of audio data; preferably this label represents a name / word.

[0010] Preferably, this label comprises a reversible fastening device to the respective selection position or to the outer casing of the diffusion apparatus at the respective selection position. Preferably, this reversible fastening device comprises a magnetic coupling between the label and the respective selection position or between the label and the outer casing of the diffusion device at the respective selection position.

[0011] In preferred embodiments, the label? formed by a body which defines a selection key, bound to a mechanism for activating the sending of the selection signal; this mechanism defines a selection position, whereby a pressing of the key corresponds to a pressure of the mechanism with consequent sending of the signal to start the reproduction of the audio data flow programmed for the respective selection position. Preferably the button? reversibly fixed to the drive mechanism by means of the or a reversible fastening device.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the label bears the name of

- a geographical place, preferably a city? or a nation, to which the related audio data flow? associated, or

- a musical genre, representative of the associated audio data stream.

In preferred embodiments, the connection module? the fileless type, preferably the Bluetooth type.

[0014] In preferred embodiments, the electronic program provides a step of

- cataloging of audio data streams into groups, each group representing the name / word of a said label,

- association, by choice of the user, of a desired audio data flow of a given group, to a desired selection position, whereby pressing on the keyboard of the broadcasting apparatus in correspondence with said desired position, said desired flow is reproduced of audio data.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the kit comprises a plurality of products. of said labels in a superabundant number with respect to the number of the selection positions of said keyboard, and in which said electronic program? adapted to manage a number of audio data streams greater than the number of said selection positions of said keyboard, whereby from the keyboard? it is possible to select a number of audio data streams lower than those managed by the electronic program; when through the electronic program a new audio data stream is associated with a given selection position on the broadcasting apparatus, the respective label is replaced with a new label identifying the new data stream.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] Will the invention come? better understood by following the description and the attached drawings, which illustrate an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Pi? in particular, in the drawing they show:

[0017] Fig. 1 schematically represents the elements and operation of a kit according to the invention;

[0018] Figures d2, 3 and 4 show three exemplary screens of an electronic program of the kit according to the invention installed on a smartphone.

Detailed description of embodiments

[0019] With reference to the aforementioned figures, an audio broadcasting kit to be associated with electronic communication devices, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers and the like, capable of interacting with a data network, is generally indicated with the number 100.

[0020] In this example, this kit comprises an audio broadcasting apparatus 10, and an electronic program 20, for example a so-called? App? to be installed on an electronic communication device 30, such as a mobile phone such as? smartphone? or? tablet?, able to interact with the data network? internet ?.

[0021] The audio broadcasting apparatus 10 comprises an external casing 11 containing a loudspeaker 12, a motherboard 13 for managing the apparatus 10, a data connection module 14, operably connectable to the electronic communication device 20, such as for example a connection module of the wireless type, for example a? Bluetooth? module, operatively connected to the motherboard 13.

[0022] In other embodiments, the number of speakers can? be greater than one.

[0023] In other embodiments, the data connection module 14 can? comprise a cable data connection system in addition to or as an alternative to the wireless connection module.

[0024] The apparatus further comprises an electric power supply system 15, which comprises for example a rechargeable battery 15A. The 15A battery charging system can? be for example of the cable type (not shown in the figures), able to be connected with an external electric network, or a wireless charging system.

[0025] In other embodiments, the power supply system 15 can? comprise a cable system for connection to the external electrical network in addition to or as an alternative to the rechargeable battery.

[0026] Furthermore, the audio broadcasting apparatus 10 comprises a button interface module 13A for managing the operation of the apparatus and a volume adjustment module 13B of the loudspeaker 12, both operatively connected to the motherboard 13.

[0027] The audio broadcasting apparatus 10 comprises a keyboard 16 for selecting audio data streams to be listened to through the loudspeaker 12.

[0028] In practice the keyboard 16 defines a plurality of of selection positions 17 to each of which? associated with a specific stream of audio data to be listened to coming from a specific address of the internet network with which the electronic communication device 30 interacts.

[0029] By specific / desired / given audio data stream is meant generically its transmission from a specific / desired / given internet address from which the data stream? generated.

[0030] In practice, the electronic communication device 30, when connected to the internet (indicated with 40), through the electronic program 20 loaded therein, connects specific internet addresses to which specific audio data streams are associated (such as addresses internet of traditional FM radio that also transmit via the internet, or specific radios that transmit only via the internet - the so-called? webradio?), to the broadcasting apparatus 10, and in particular to specific selection positions 17 of the keyboard 16.

[0031] The electronic program 20 provides for programming the selection positions 17, so that a desired audio data flow (ie the data flows coming from a desired internet address) is associated with each position 17.

[0032] Therefore, by interacting with a finger at a selection position 17, the apparatus 10 is commanded to reproduce in the loudspeaker the audio data stream coming from the specific internet address associated with this position by the electronic program 20. The stream of data comes from the internet to the electronic device 30 and from this? sent to the broadcasting device 10 by means of the Bluetooth module 14.

[0033] Advantageously, at each selection position 17 of the keyboard 16? associated with a label 18 visible to the user; this label identifies a desired stream of audio data.

[0034] For example, the label shows the name of a geographical place, preferably a city? or a nation, to which the related audio data flow? associated, or a musical genre (jazz, classical, pop, waltz, etc.), representative of the associated audio data stream.

[0035] In the figures, the labels represent names of cities? relating to the places of origin of the transmission of audio data streams of the respective internet addresses. For example with 18A? identified the selection position named with the label with the name? London ?, to which? associated with a relative audio stream from an internet address of a London based FM or web radio.

[0036] In another embodiment, for example, a label of a selection position can? being calls? Jazz? to which ? associated with a relative audio stream from an internet address of an FM or web radio broadcasting Jazz music.

[0037] Conveniently, the internet addresses relating to the sources of audio data streams can be managed by a provider, which can? manage the original internet addresses and provide them directly to the electronic program 20 of the electronic device 30, or associate them with Internet addresses of the provider itself and provide the electronic program 20 with these? re-elaborated? addresses.

[0038] The provider also associates to each managed internet address (and therefore to the associated audio data streams) information relating to the specific address, such as, for example, the country, the city? and the musical genre associated with the radio that broadcasts on the specific internet address. Obviously, other types of data can also be associated.

[0039] Conveniently, the electronic program 20 provides for a phase of cataloging the audio data flows into groups, in which each group represents a type of information, such as for example the nation, the city? or the musical genre. The name of the groups forms the name of the labels 18.

[0040] The cataloging of the audio data flows, through the electronic program, is followed by the association by choice of the user, of a desired audio data flow of a given group (identified by a name shown on a label 18), to a desired selection position, whereby by pressing on the keyboard of the broadcasting apparatus in correspondence with the desired position, the desired audio data flow associated with the group is reproduced.

[0041] Advantageously, each label 18? formed on a body 18B which defines a selection key, bound to an actuation mechanism (not numbered in the figures) for sending the selection signal, operatively connected with the motherboard 13. This mechanism defines, or? provided on, a selection position 17, whereby a pressure of the key corresponds to a pressure of the mechanism with consequent sending of the signal to start the reproduction of the audio data flow programmed for the respective selection position.

[0042] Conveniently, the body / fret 18B? reversibly fixed to the drive mechanism by means of a reversible fastening device, for example of the magnetic coupling type, for example a magnet 19A? fixed on the drive mechanism and a ferromagnetic body? fixed on the body / fret 18B.

[0043] Conveniently, the kit comprises a plurality of products. of bodies / keys 18B carrying the respective labels 18 in a superabundant number with respect to the number of keyboard selection positions. In figure 1, three selection positions are without the respective key and the remaining keys that can be associated with these positions 17 are shown on the front of the device.

[0044] Also, the electronic program? able to manage a number of audio data streams (i.e. internet addresses relating to the radio transmission channels that transmit via the internet) greater than the number of keyboard selection positions.

[0045] In practice, when a new audio data stream is associated with a given selection position 17 on the broadcasting apparatus by means of the electronic program 20, the respective label 18 (key) is replaced with a new label (new key ) identifying the new data flow.

[0046] With reference to figures 2, 3 and 4, for example the provider manages a number of internet addresses greater than 100, each for example relating to a radio. There are, for example, a number of bodies / keys equal to eighteen, each with a? Label representing, for example, a city name? (Rome, Bejing, Athens, Sao Paulo, Berlin, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Jakarta, Nairobi, Istanbul, Paris, Moscov, London, New York, Cairo, Tokyo, Havana, Barcelona).

[0047] The step of programming the selection positions in the keyboard takes place for example as follows. The Bluetooth connection between the apparatus 10 and the electronic device 30 is activated. Through the electronic program 20, the user selects the selection position to which he wants to associate a given internet address (figure 2), for example by selecting on the graphic interface 20A the desired position.

Then you choose which label (city name) to associate with that location (screen with city names, figure 3; for example, the user chooses New York). At this point the menu opens? with the list (group) of radios (corresponding to respective internet addresses from which respective streams of audio data flow) associated with the respective city? (New York). The user chooses the desired radio and creates the association between city name, internet address and selection position on the keyboard. Then the user places the body / key 18A with the given label, by means of the magnetic fixing, in the corresponding selection position chosen in the screen of figure 2.

[0048] Programming takes place for all nine keyboard selection positions, with corresponding positioning of the respective bodies / keys in the programmed selection positions.

[0049] In case it is necessary to change the programming of only one selection position it will be? It is possible to act on the electronic program as described above, for that desired position, by replacing the key with the one bearing the new name.

[0050] And? understood that what illustrated represents only possible non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which can? vary in forms and arrangements without leaving the scope of the concept underlying the invention. The possible presence of reference numbers in the attached claims has the sole purpose of facilitating their reading in light of the preceding description and the attached drawings and does not in any way limit their scope of protection.

Claims (12)

AUDIO DIFFUSION KIT Claims 1. Audio broadcasting kit to be associated with electronic communication devices, such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers and the like, capable of interacting with a data network, said kit comprising: - a broadcasting apparatus comprising at least one loudspeaker and a data connection module operably connectable to said electronic communication device interacting with a data network, - an electronic program able to be installed on said electronic communication device for the management of said broadcasting apparatus, said electronic program, once installed on said electronic communication device, being able to manage a plurality of communication devices. of audio data flows coming from the data network with which the electronic communication device interacts and to allow the sending of said audio data flows from said electronic communication device to said audio broadcasting apparatus, in which said audio diffusion apparatus? equipped with a keyboard for selecting audio data streams to be listened to through said at least one loudspeaker, said keyboard defining a plurality of audio data flows. of selection positions, said electronic program being able to program said selection positions in such a way that a desired audio data flow is associated with each position, whereby pressing in correspondence with a given selection position of the keyboard sends a start signal playback of a given audio data stream. 2. Audio broadcast kit according to claim 1, wherein each at said keyboard selection position? associated with a label visible to the user, said label identifying a desired stream of audio data; preferably said label representing a name / word. 3. Audio broadcasting kit according to claim 2, wherein said label comprises a reversible fastening device to the respective selection position or to the outer casing of the broadcasting apparatus at the respective selection position. 4. Audio broadcasting kit according to claim 3, wherein said reversible fastening device comprises a magnetic coupling between said label and the respective selection position or between said label and the outer casing of the diffusion device at the respective position selection. 5. Audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said label? formed by a body that defines a selection key, bound to a mechanism for activating the sending of the selection signal, said mechanism defining a said selection position, whereby a pressure of said key corresponds to a pressure of the mechanism with consequent sending of the playback start signal of the audio data stream programmed for the respective selection position. 6. Audio broadcast kit according to claim 3 or 4 and according to claim 5, wherein said reversible fastener? adapted to reversibly fix said button to said actuation mechanism. 7. Audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the preceding claims, in which said label bears the name of - a geographical place, preferably a city? or a nation, to which the related audio data flow? associated, or - a musical genre, representative of the associated audio data stream. 8. Audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said connection module? the fileless type, preferably the Bluetooth type. 9. Audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic program -? adapted to catalog said audio data streams into groups, each group representing the name / word of a said label, -? able to associate, by means of the user's choice, a desired flow of audio data of a given group, to a desired selection position, so that by pressing on the keyboard of said broadcasting apparatus in correspondence with said desired position, said desired flow is reproduced of audio data. 10. Audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of claims 3 to 9, comprising a plurality of of said labels in a superabundant number with respect to the number of the selection positions of said keyboard, and in which said electronic program? adapted to manage a number of audio data streams greater than the number of said selection positions of said keyboard, whereby from said keyboard? it is possible to select a number of audio data streams lower than those managed by said electron program; when through said electronic program a new audio data flow is associated with a given selection position on the broadcasting apparatus, the respective label is replaced with a new label identifying the new data flow. 11. Audio diffusion apparatus of the audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the previous claims. 12. Electronic program of the audio diffusion kit according to one or more? of the previous claims.