IP Library Granted Patent US 8,239,897
Granted Patent B2
US 8,239,897 · App. 12/205,045 · Granted Aug 7, 2012

Method and apparatus for multiple audio outputs

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,239,897
App. No.
12/205,045
Granted
Aug 7, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for transmitting audio signals. The method of transmitting audio signals may include separately transmitting a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the method of transmitting audio signals may include transmitting a first video signal and a first audio signal to one component, transmitting a second video signal to the same component and separately transmitting a second audio signal to a second component.

Claims (50)

1. A device for transmitting an audio stream separately from a video stream, comprising:

an input operative to receive a service provider signal;

a first tuner operative to receive the service provider signal from the input and configured to generate a first signal;

a first demodulator accepting the first signal from the first tuner and configured to generate a first audio signal and first video signal from the first signal;

a second tuner operative to receive the service provider signal from the input and configured to generate a second signal;

a second demodulator accepting the second signal from the second tuner and configured to generate a second audio signal and second video signal from the second signal;

an enclosure surrounding at least the first tuner, second tuner, the first demodulator, and the second demodulator;

a first output from the enclosure, the first output operative to transmit the first audio signal and the first video signal;

a second output from the enclosure, the second output operative to transmit the second video signal;

third output from the enclosure, the third output operative to transmit the second audio signal; and

a module located externally of the enclosure and connected to the third output, the module operative to receive the second audio signal and to convert the second audio signal into a wireless signal.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising a user input, the user input operative to change a frequency of at least the second audio signal.

3. A method for transmitting at least a first and second audio signal, comprising:

transmitting the first audio signal to a first device;

transmitting a first video signal to the first device, the first video signal associated with the first audio signal;

transmitting the second audio signal to a second device;

transmitting a second video signal to the first device, the second video signal associated with the second audio signal;

receiving a command to adjust the second video signal relative to the first video signal;

in response to receiving the command, transmitting the second audio signal to the first device; and

further in response to receiving the command, transmitting the first audio signal to the second device.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising stripping the second audio signal from the second video signal prior to transmitting either the second audio signal or the second video signal.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein prior to receiving the command to adjust the second video signal relative to the first video signal, the method further comprising:

displaying the first video signal on a first screen area of the first device; and

displaying the second video signal on a second screen area of the first device.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein in response to receiving the command to adjust the second video signal relative to the first video signal, the method further comprising:

switching the first video signal to display on the second screen area of the first device; and

switching the second video signal to display on the first screen area of the first device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first screen area surrounds the second screen area.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second audio signals are wirelessly transmitted.

9. The method of claim 3 , wherein the second audio signal cannot be perceived without the second device.

10. The method of claim 3 , wherein all transmissions are performed by a third device.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the third device is a set-top box.

12. A method for transmitting information, comprising:

providing a first video signal for display on a first screen area of a first device;

providing a second video signal for display on a second screen area of the first device;

providing a first audio signal to the first device;

providing a second audio signal to a second device;

receiving an audio toggle command;

in response to receiving the audio toggle command, providing the second audio signal to the first device; and

further in response to receiving the audio toggle command, providing the first audio signal to the second device.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

generating the first video signal and the first audio signal; and

generating the second video signal and the second audio signal.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the operation of separating the second set of information comprises:

receiving the second set of information as a single signal including both the second video signal and second audio signal modulated together; and

demodulating the second video signal from the second audio signal.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second format is a radio frequency.

16. The method of claim 13 , wherein:

the second audio signal is converted from a first format to a second format; and

the second audio signal is provided to the second device in the second format.

Assignments (6)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 30, 2021
From: DISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION; DISH NETWORK L.L.C.; DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
To: U.S. BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 058295/0293 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 18, 2018
From: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
To: DISH TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 047264/0127 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ECHOSTAR UK HOLDINGS LIMITED
To: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041672/0080 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2017
From: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: ECHOSTAR TECHNOLOGIES L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 041674/0954 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2014
From: ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
To: ECHOSTAR UK HOLDINGS LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034650/0050 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2009
From: WADEY, ROBERT
To: ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
Reel/Frame 022706/0316 →