Wireless transmission of audio to headphones and speakers gained popularity since the birth of Bluetooth technology in 1994. Although Bluetooth audio transmission technologies offer convenient ways for consumers to listen to audio transmitting sources, new inventions and products challenge existing Bluetooth and radio frequency products by providing additional features, using modern Wi-Fi technologies that otherwise would not be available. CloviTek is my startup company I launched with help from the Lassonde Institute at the University of Utah that provides solutions for audio transmission over Wi-Fi from an audio source.
What is the CloviTek’s invention CloviFi? What does it do? Why does anyone need it?
On a recent trip, as the founder of CloviTek and the inventor of the CloviFi device, I had to learn how to explain in one sentence what is the CloviFi device to a stranger sitting nearby on the plane. Moreover, after I grabbed his attention with a simple one-liner pitch, I was able to explain in a detail why regular home users with one or more TVs would or any business owner, small or large, will potentially benefit from the CloviFi device. So, what did I pitch that grabbed their attention, and what else do I have up my sleeve for the future owners of the CloviFi device?
CloviFi Explanation
Simply put, the CloviFi device transmits audio from any audio source (i.e. TV) to any mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.) using wireless (Wi-Fi) technology. Users can personally enjoy, without bothering people nearby, audio broadcasts with an affordable, compact, user-friendly and high- performance product. Users can listen with their personal headphones connected to their mobile device for a private listening experience.
CloviFi is for Airport Business Lounges and Gyms
So, for whom is this device for? Well, really, for anyone. My invention can reach pretty wide audience. In one of my letters to the Delta Sky Lounge manager, I wrote:
I understood the need for private listening experiences over 24 months ago. I run on the treadmill at a 24 Hour Fitness. I enjoy working out. Well, I particularly enjoy one TV show that was on the TV at that time. But I also needed to step down and get some more work outs done on other gym equipment. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do but disconnect myself from the treadmill and listen to my music on my phone. I was surprised back in 2014 that nobody has come-up with the solution where I could simply connect my headphones to a mobile device that I had in my hands and continue to listen to my favorite TV show. This is where I came up with the device that you can simply connect to any TV (via audio port), to your existing Wi-Fi network (or a dedicated Wi-Fi router) and then transmit audio from any TV to your personal mobile device…. Honestly, it is pretty simple in comparison to any competition that is out there (believe me, they are much more costly and more complex in setting everything up then what I will provide). There are only 4 simple steps that are involved in the process.
- Connect the CloviFi device to the TV via one of multiple optional audio inputs;
- Connect a mobile phone or any other mobile device and CloviFi to your existing Wi-Fi or Wired network;
- Download, install and run a CloviFi mobile app on the mobile device (available for iOS and Android platforms);
- Chose from the list of available TVs in the app and start listening through headphones connected to the mobile device.
CloviFi is for Customers with Hearing Loss
In another letter, I wrote to the Costco management team, specifically targeting people with hearing loss (that utilize the hearing aids department):
I carefully read your article “Now hear this! How to really hear your TV” in “The Costco Connection” magazine. I really enjoyed it. Honestly, I silently exhaled and said to myself “Finally, people are starting to talk more about this.” This is good news that in your article you are showing people different ways they can hear their TV. Statistically, over 80 percent of people do not do much about their hearing loss, and a large number of the population globally (over 38M) suffer from hearing loss. You, through your article, help them remember that they can do something about this problem; maybe all it takes for them is to have their hearing tested. You have covered many different options for the hearing impaired to hear their TVs: radio frequency, Bluetooth, IR and closed captioning. The main reason I am writing this letter to you is to share with you the project that I have been working on and tell you about another method that could help people amplify their TV (and other devices) sound. Only a handful of solutions exist that use new Wi-Fi transmission technology and mine is one of them. In simple words, it is a compact Wi-Fi audio transmitter. The beauty of the transmitter is that people can use their own comfortable headphones that they are used to (no need to buy additional headphones) and multiple users can connect to the same TV at the same time in the same room. If they have hearing aids, they still can use full headphones to listen to a TV at their comfortable volume level. Unlike Bluetooth, that currently limits one headphone or mobile device connection at a time to a TV, the CloviFi device allows multiple connections. Another benefit of the device is that it transmits over an existing Wi-Fi and does not have the same distance limitations as the other audio transmission methods. Something else I think you will like is that users have the ability to control their own volumes. A big advantage is when multiple people fight over a TV, one wants the volume down, and another says to turn it up. Now, with CloviFi each of the users can control their own volume. Technologically it is very simple. CloviFi is for a wide range of people – for seniors, teens, adults and small business owners, and it is simple to install – in only four steps. You can find more information about the device at https://wifihearing.com/clovifi-for-hearing-impaired.html.
CloviFi addresses two main issues in the medical industry. First, people with mild-to-moderate hearing loss generally do not need hearing aids but do look for devices called personal sound amplification products (PSAPs) [1] to help them hear more clearly in certain situations. Mild hearing loss in a quiet room is not much of a problem, but competing sounds often mask the sound they want to hear. For example, noisy places such as health clubs, waiting rooms and restaurants often make it difficult for the brain to discern desired audio from background noise. The CloviTek product delivers the desired audio from its source directly to the customer’s ears, overriding the background distractions. Our product is not a regulated medical device, but it does provide a medically related benefit to the hearing-impaired customer. PSAP is not conceptually different from hearing aids, but users benefit from the device without paying a high price for hearing aids[2]. Studies have shown a strong improvement in the quality of life provided by PSAPs, which is why the FDA encourages their use for people who do not need a full-performance hearing aid[3]. Users with hearing aids can get the same high-quality sound using an induction-loop-style listening system, which allows users to listen through their hearing aid[4].
The target price for consumers is very low in comparison to the existing competition. Nevertheless, imagine how many people in one family can benefit from a solution like this. If you have two TVs, you can easily navigate between them using the free mobile app (see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1Jukp-ASoo). No need to buy an audio transmitter and receiver for each TV. No need to spend more money on additional Bluetooth devices. Consumers at home truly save money with CloviFi. Also, if you already have Bluetooth enabled hearing aids, anyone using the CloviFi device will be able to directly connect to their TV without having to connect through their mobile device. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth options provide multiple ways of staying connected at home or public areas.
CloviFi is for Everyone
Besides Sky Lounges, airports, gyms and people with hearing loss, the CloviFi device is also great for:
- People with one or more TVs in their household
- Business owners and their employees
- Music/sports bars customers/owners/managers
- Gym customers/owners/managers
- Airport travelers/managers
- Hotel visitors/owners/managers
- Schools/universities, their staff, students and instructors
- Business lounge customers/owners/managers
- Movie theater customers/owners/managers
- Amusement park customers/owners/managers
- Museums attendees/owners/managers
- Consumer electronics store owners/managers
- Residents/managers in group living settings such as assisted or senior living
How CloviFi Benefits Business Owners and Management
As the business owner, you may want to consider CloviFi for various reasons. CloviTek with its cloud-based platform will be able to monitor all devices and address issues promptly. In addition, each business that has subscription will benefit from free remote firmware and software upgrades and free hardware trade-ins when new hardware enhancements have been complete. Businesses also will take advantage of analytics data that will be available for them so they can enhance user experiences and build successful targeted marketing campaigns based on the user experiences.
Get CloviFi at Promotional Discounted Prices
What else does CloviTek has in stock for its customers and organizations that would use the device? What does it offer for you, the reader? To find out more, sign up here: https://wifihearing.com/order-clovifi-device-page.html. With CloviTek’s Kickstarter campaign and the product launch preparations, we will make our best efforts to educate on what CloviFi has to offer for you, new exciting features we will be adding to the product, and our pre-launch specials. Sign up on the company’s website to receive additional details on the product and updates on our Kickstarter promotion at www.clovitek.com.
Connect with CloviTek
Join CloviTek’s community and help the company with your ideas on the CloviFi device via one of these social media pages:
- https://twitter.com/CloviTek
- https://www.facebook.com/clovitek
- https://www.linkedin.com/company/Clovitek-llc
- http://clovitek.tumblr.com/
- https://www.pinterest.com/clovitek/
Footnotes
[1] Policy Solutions for Better Hearing, Christine Cassel, MD; Ed Penhoet, PhD; Robert Saunders, PhD, JAMA. 2016;315(6):553-554.
[2] Ross, M. (2011). Dr. Ross on Hearing Loss – Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs) Versus Hearing Aids. Hearingresearch.org. N.p., 2017. Web. Retrieved March 13, 2017, from http://www.hearingresearch.org/ross/hearing_aids/psaps_vs_hearing_aids.php
[3] “CTA Applauds Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort To Bring Hearing Aids Over-The-Counter”. Finance.yahoo.com. N.p., March 21, 2017. Web. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/cta-applauds-bipartisan-bicameral-effort-213500899.html
[4] Romano, Tricia. “Better Hearing Through Bluetooth”. NYTimes. N.p., 2014. Web. Retrieved March 23, 2017, from https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/15/better-hearing-through-bluetooth/?_r=0
