System for assigning multichannel audio signals to independent wireless audio output devices
First Claim
1. A computer controlled entertainment system for multiple users comprising:
- a computer comprising a display, memory, processing circuitry, and a data bus, wherein the display, memory, and processing circuitry are communicatively coupled to the data bus;
a plurality of programming sources, detachably connected to the data bus, wherein each programming source comprises first and second audio data streams and a video data stream;
a plurality of audio output devices, comprising a first audio output device and a second audio output device, communicatively coupled to the data bus such that the first audio output device receives the first audio data stream and the second audio output device receives the second audio data stream independently of each other and simultaneously with the video data stream being displayed upon the display of the computer; and
a user input device for controlling the computer.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A home entertainment and information system is provided which assigns and transmits audio programming to audio output devices. Digital and analog signals from a variety of program sources are received by the home entertainment and information system. The system assigns and transmits to an audio output device a program that is distinct from programs assigned and transmitted to other audio output devices within the same system, and thus where two users are viewing different programs visually displayed on the same or different monitors, they hear the audio portion of the respective program they are viewing through individual audio output devices. An audio output device is also assignable to a remote control device such that when a program is selected using the remote control device, the audio portion of the program is transmitted to the assigned audio output device.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A computer controlled entertainment system for multiple users comprising:
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a computer comprising a display, memory, processing circuitry, and a data bus, wherein the display, memory, and processing circuitry are communicatively coupled to the data bus; a plurality of programming sources, detachably connected to the data bus, wherein each programming source comprises first and second audio data streams and a video data stream; a plurality of audio output devices, comprising a first audio output device and a second audio output device, communicatively coupled to the data bus such that the first audio output device receives the first audio data stream and the second audio output device receives the second audio data stream independently of each other and simultaneously with the video data stream being displayed upon the display of the computer; and a user input device for controlling the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer controlled entertainment system for multiple users comprising:
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a computer comprising a display, memory, processing circuitry and a data bus, wherein the display, memory, and processing circuitry are communicatively coupled to the data bus and wherein the processing circuitry comprises a plurality of audio cards and audio/video cards; a plurality of programming sources, detachably connected to the data bus; a plurality of audio output devices, comprising a first audio output device and a second audio output device, communicatively coupled to the data bus such that each audio output device receives audio information associated with a programming source independently of each other; and a user input device for controlling the computer. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of assigning the audio portions of a plurality of distinct programs output from a home entertainment and information system to a plurality of audio output devices, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first program signal and a second program signal; separating the first and second program signals into a first audio data stream and second audio data stream and a first video data stream and a second video data stream; assigning the first video data stream to a video display device and the second video data stream to the video display device; assigning the first audio data stream to a first audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices and the second audio data stream to a second audio output device of the plurality of audio output devices; and simultaneously transmitting the first video data stream and the second video data stream to the video display device, the first audio data stream to the first audio output device, and the second audio data stream to the second audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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22. A method of assigning the audio portions of a plurality of distinct programs output from a home entertainment and information system to a plurality of audio output devices, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first program signal; separating the first program signal into a first audio data stream and second audio data stream and a first video data stream; assigning the first video data stream to a video display device; assigning the first audio data stream to a first audio output device of the plurality of output devices and the second audio data stream to a second audio output device of the plurality of output devices; and simultaneously transmitting the first video data stream to the video display device, the first audio data stream to the first audio output device, and the second audio data stream to the second audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A computer controlled entertainment system for multiple users comprising:
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a data bus; a memory communicatively coupled to the data bus; processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the data bus; a plurality of separate programming sources, comprising a first programming source and a second programming source, communicatively coupled to the data bus; a display device communicatively coupled to the data bus to simultaneously present visual material associated with both the first and second programming sources; a plurality of audio output devices, comprising a first audio output device associated with the first user and a second audio output device associated with the second user, the plurality audio output devices communicatively coupled to the data bus such that the first and second audio output devices, independently of each other, each selectively receives audio information associated with either the first or second programming sources or both; and a plurality of user input devices, comprising a first user input device associated with the first user and a second user input device associated with the second user, the plurality user input devices communicatively coupled to the data bus such that the first user input device selectively controls audio information received by the first audio output device and, independent of the first user input device, the second user input device selectively controls audio information received by the second audio output device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification