RU2206121C2 - Method for transmitting audio compilation in internet - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: real-time audio compilation transmission via Internet. SUBSTANCE: audio compilation is transmitted via communications network from audio-signal input device to converter that functions to convert audio information into digital code using shrinking algorithm at audio-signal digitizing rate not over 8 kilobits per second and to transfer digital audio- signal to home Internet server for distributed control of protocol of digital audio-signal streams in Internet. EFFECT: improved characteristics of audio compilation reception. 5 cl, 1 dwg

Description

Technical field
The invention relates to the field of transmission of audio broadcasts over the Internet (TCP / IP) in real time from the place of events, mainly from sports events.

State of the art
The Internet (TCP / IP) has a large number of sites that provide real-time audio broadcasting on this network, but the majority of Internet users do not have the ability to receive these audio broadcasts in a high-quality, since the speed of digitizing the audio signal on these sites is not adapted to the bulk users connecting to the Internet via low-bandwidth lines. Therefore, while listening to audio broadcasts online on the Internet, a constantly intermittent sound is characteristic. As a result, the Internet has not developed such a direction as real-time audio broadcasts from the venue of the event.

 A known method of transmitting information from sporting events, in particular from auto racing (patent US 6020851), in which for the transmission and primary processing of information using at least three transmitters and two receivers installed on each race car. The method allows you to receive information in real time, however, it requires a large amount of equipment and uses a television / radio signal to transmit, which does not make it possible to use it by Internet users via telephone lines.

 A known method of transmitting reports from sporting events, in particular from skiing (international application WO 01/01706), also using video equipment and having the same restrictions as in the previous case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides the opportunity for Internet users who connect to the network, including via lines with low bandwidth, to receive high-quality audio broadcasts from the venue in real time. This invention is particularly convenient and economical in cases where several events are simultaneously held, and allows you to select any audio broadcast of interest or switch from one audio broadcast to another, as well as listen to full broadcasts from the archive at any convenient time.

 A method for transmitting audio broadcasting on the Internet (TCP / IP) involves transmitting audio broadcasting from an audio input device to an audio information to digital code converter. To convert the audio information, compression algorithms are used with the sampling rate of the audio signal not exceeding 6-8 kbit / s. Next, the digital audio signal is transmitted to the base Internet server for distributed control of digital audio signal streams over the Internet (TCP / IP).

 One of the possible input devices for the audio signal can be a telephone, while audio broadcasts are transmitted to the audio information converter over the telephone network. Another possible audio input device may be a commentator. In this case, the transmission of audio broadcasts is carried out through a dedicated communication channel of tone frequency or through a direct wire. In addition, the audio signal input device may be a microphone, which is connected directly to the microphone input of an audio card of a computer used as a converter of audio information into a digital code.

 In the proposed method, an additional server may be provided, connected in parallel with the base server with the ability to switch between servers upon request or automatically.

 For Internet users who were unable for one reason or another to listen to audio broadcasts (for example, reporting from a sports game) directly during events, audio broadcasts in the form of a digital code are saved and transmitted to the user in response to his request in full at a convenient time for the user time.

The implementation scheme of the method and its description
The attached diagram of the implementation of the method of transmitting audio broadcasts on the Internet shows two options for the arrival of audio broadcasts to the base server. Further dissemination of information from the base server is the same and does not depend on how the information was received on the base server.

 In the first embodiment, shown on the left side of the circuit, the audio broadcast is transmitted by telephone (audio input device 1a) and the communication network 2a through the communication network interface device 3a to the computer 4a, which performs the function of converting audio information into digital code. Both wired network telephones (including telephones with portable radio handsets) and mobile phones can be used. Further, the digital signal is transmitted to the base server 5. In this embodiment, the audio information conversion function and the base server function can be hardware-combined in one computer.

 In the first embodiment, an audio signal can be input instead of a telephone via a commentator 1a, and audio broadcasts can be transmitted instead of a dial-up telephone network via a dedicated tonal frequency communication channel that meets the recommendations of M1040 or higher, or via a direct wire 2a through a communication channel or direct wire interface device 3a from computer to computer 4a, performing the function of converting audio information into digital code. Next, the digital signal is transmitted to the base server 5.

 According to the second option (the right part of the circuit), the audio transmission is from the microphone (audio input device 1b) directly to the microphone input of the audio card of computer 4b, where it is converted into a digital code. Then the digital signal through the communication device 3b of the communication network with the computer, the communication network 2b and the second device 3b of the interface is transmitted to the base server 5. In this case, the computer 4b - the converter of audio information into digital code and the base server 5 are represented by different computers that are remote from one another.

 Monitoring and control of the entire system is carried out using a computer 6 - control center using special software. The sampling rate of the audio signal does not exceed 6-8 kbit / s and is adapted for the bulk of 8 users who connect to the Internet 7 via lines with low bandwidth. The base server 5 distributes and coordinates the streams of the digital audio signal and distributes it over the Internet 7 to the end user 8.

 In cases of a large number of calls from Internet users 8 with limited capabilities of the base server 5, as well as to increase the reliability of the circuit, an additional server 9 can be used that is connected in parallel to the base server 5 with the ability to switch between servers on demand or automatically.

Industrial applicability
In addition to audio broadcasts from sporting events, the invention can be used for almost any other audio broadcasts on the Internet, such as news releases, reports on cultural events, social events, and so on. In the long term, an increase in the number of fiber-optic communication lines and digital transmission systems, the development of local "home" networks, leading to an increase in the data exchange rate for the bulk of Internet subscribers, will make it possible to increase the speed of digitizing the audio signal and allow the bulk of users to receive audio broadcasts from the venue in real time with the best sound quality.

Claims (5)

 1. A method for transmitting audio broadcasts on the Internet, including transmitting audio broadcasts from an audio signal input device over a communication network to an audio information to digital code converter using compression algorithms at an audio signal digitization rate of not higher than 8 kbps, and transmitting a digital audio signal to a basic Internet server for distributed control the flow of digital audio over the Internet.  2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of audio broadcasts is carried out on a dedicated communication channel of a tonal frequency or on a direct wire.  3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the input device of the audio signal is a microphone connected directly to the microphone input of the audio card of the converter of audio information into a digital code.  4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it uses an additional server connected in parallel with the base server with the ability to switch between servers upon request or automatically.  5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the audio broadcasts in the form of a digital code are stored and transmitted to the user in response to his request at a time convenient for the user.

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