Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02830757 2013-10-24
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method and system for sharing synchronized
audio and video
streams across a mesh of networked Bluetooth or Wireless devices.
CA 02830757 2013-10-24
Summary of the Invention
This application for patent expands upon the invention of Bluetcioth and
Wireless networking by
providing a system and method by which users can create a networked mesh of
multiple devices
which allows for the synchronization and simultaneous broadcast of audio or
video playback on all
devices that are attached to the aforesaid mesh. The master device forms a
piconet across 7 slave
devices (or wireless network across attached slave devices), upon which, the
aforementioned slave
devices may then expand the ultimate range of the network by establishing
their own subsequent
piconets (or wireless networks), and so forth. This process allows the
original master device to
expand its broadcast area throughout a large master network of deployed local
nodes.
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Description
Brief Description of the Drawings
FIG. 1 is a view of the User Stream Selection screen present within the
software;
FIG. 2 is a view of the Mesh Alert popup notification present within the
software;
FIG. 3 is a view of the Meshes within Range screen present within the
software;
FIG. 4 is an overhead view of an auditorium which pictures the placement of
the Master Node and
the Master and Slave Nodes of subsequent piconets created by the software;
FIG. 5 is an overhead view of an auditorium which illustrates the placement of
the Master Node
and the Master and Slave Nodes of subsequent piconets as created by the
software;
FIG. 6 is an overhead view which, for illustration purposes, showcases the
range of a single
Bluetooth device;
FIG. 7 is an overhead view which, for illustration purposes, showcases the
effective range of a
single Bluetooth device with a deployed mesh and subsequent 7 devices joined
via a piconet;
FIG. 8 is an overhead view which, for illustration purposes, showcases the
effective range of a
single Bluetooth device with a deployed mesh and subsequent 7 devices joined
via a piconet, and
accordingly, 7 subsequent devices joined via piconets to each of the
aforementioned devices;
FIG. 9 is an overhead view which, for illustration purposes, showcases the
broadcast range of a
single Bluetooth and software enabled device; and
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30 FIG. 10 is an overhead view which, for illustration purposes, showcases
the broadcast range of a
single Bluetooth enabled device with a deployed mesh and subsequent 7 devices
joined via a
piconet, and accordingly, 7 subsequent devices joined via piconets to each of
the aforementioned
devices.
35 Detailed Description of the Invention
The master user installs proprietary software on their Bluetooth or Wireless
enabled device. The
user is then presented with an output selection screen through which they can
choose from
available stream types, including microphone and file or a combination thereof
(Figure 1). The
40 software then facilitates a piconet or wireless hotspot which is made
available to other Bluetooth
or Wireless enabled devices that are within range. Subsequently, these other
devices (potential
slaves) that have the installed software are notified that a local source is
available to join (Figure 2)
and may also view a list of available meshes within range of their device
(Figure 3). These devices
can then choose to join the master source. Subsequently, other devices within
range of these
45 newly connected devices are notified that a source node has been
created and, as such, these
newly notified devices may also join the source node. This process
subsequently cascades to all
Bluetooth or Wireless and software enabled devices that are within range of
the networked
devices. The file data from the original source that presents on the Master
Node is concurrently
streamed to all devices on the network.
Any networked device may create a mesh and the designation of the Master Node
can be changed
to any device (or devices) that is (are) connected to the networked mesh. This
allows the range of
a Bluetooth or Wireless device and its source output to be expanded across a
range of multiple
devices and allows for the synchronization of audio and video files across the
mesh.
Example of the Invention and Usefulness in a Practical Setting
By way of example, Figure 4 illustrates the position of the Master Node in
relation to the seats in
an auditorium setting. If the device which is to become the Master Node relied
solely on the use of
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60 its single external speaker to transmit audio, the volume would not be
loud enough to encompass
the room and be easily heard by all parties. However, by linking its audio
stream with all available
devices in sub-tiered piconets (as illustrated via Figure 4 and Figure 5) each
networked seat in the
auditorium gains the benefit of having not only a local sound source but the
combined benefit of
all surrounding sound sources.
In an auditorium setting, for example, the Master Node may be switched to a
different device or
devices once the network mesh has been created. This would allow for the
microphone of the
Master Device to serve in a manner similar to a shared, "pass around"
microphone and speakers.
By way of another example, by streaming their microphone in conjunction with a
local file, the
Master Node can create a "powerpoint" type presentation on all networked
devices. This allows
the user's presentation to occur simultaneously on all networked speakers and
video screens
which provides for greater dissemination that can markedly enhance
presentation in venues where
sight lines or field of vision may be compromised or unconventional.
This method and system allows for the effective Bluetooth or Wireless range of
the device
(illustrated in Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8) and proximate range of the
broadcast (illustrated in
Figure 9 and Figure 10) to be greatly expanded. The use of the system and
method as applied for
pursuant to this patent will lead to richer, more interactive and immersive
user experiences. There
are numerous advantages to such a system and method which include, inter alio,
sound
amplification, increased audio saturation, reduced infrastructure cost and
novelty.
