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Method and system for managing real-time audio broadcasts among a group of users

  • US 9,374,682 B2
  • Filed: 11/26/2013
  • Issued: 06/21/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An information exchange method performed at a mobile device having one or more processors and memory for storing program modules to be executed by the one or more processors, wherein the mobile device is communicatively coupled to a remote server, the method comprising:

  • displaying within an instant messaging application running on the mobile device a first affordance allowing a user of the mobile device to initiate a real-time audio broadcast among a group of users, wherein the user is a member of the group;

    detecting a selection of the first affordance by the user;

    in response to detecting the user selection of the first affordance, sending a real-time audio broadcast initiation request to the remote server, wherein the remote server is configured to start a periodically updated countdown timer for initiating a real-time audio broadcast and thatthe countdown timer corresponds to a predetermined time period during which the real-time audio broadcast is initiated before another user joins the real-time audio broadcast, wherein the real-time audio broadcast is automatically terminated by the remote server in accordance with a determination that no other user joins the real-time audio broadcast after the predetermined time period,wherein the remote server, after receiving the real-time audio broadcast initiation request from the mobile device,detects states of other mobile devices in the group; and

    in response to detecting the other mobile devices in an intercom on state, notifies the mobile device of direct transmission paths, wherein each of the direct transmission paths is a direct wireless connection between the mobile device and a respective one of the other mobile devices without through the remote server;

    enabling a second affordance to allow the user to activate the real-time audio broadcast after another member of the group joins the real-time audio broadcast before the timer expires;

    detecting a first instruction from a user of the mobile device to start the real-time audio broadcast to a plurality of client devices associated with the group of users, wherein the first instruction is received in response to detecting a first user selection of the second affordance;

    in response to the first instruction, sending an audio broadcast start request to the remote server, wherein the remote server is configured to instruct the plurality of client devices to enter a broadcast-disable mode such that only the user of the mobile device can generate the real-time audio broadcast while the group of users can only listen to the real-time audio broadcast;

    capturing and streaming audio signals from the user of the mobile device to the remote server and changing appearance of the second affordance indicating the audio signals are being transmitted from the mobile device to the remote server, wherein the remote server is configured to transmit the audio signals to the plurality of client devices;

    detecting a second instruction from the user of the mobile device to stop the real-time audio broadcast to the plurality of client devices, wherein the second instruction is received in response to detecting a second user selection of the second affordance; and

    in response to the second instruction, sending an audio broadcast stop request to the remote server and restoring the appearance of the second affordance, wherein the remote server is configured to instruct the plurality of client devices to enter a broadcast-enable mode such that any user of the plurality of client devices can start a new real-time audio broadcast.

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