Abstract:
A job site radio includes a wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth transceiver, that enables mobile electronic devices around the work site to stream digital music and other audio from the mobile electronic devices to the job site radio for playback. In one embodiment, the mobile electronic devices execute a software application to implement a remote control functionality for the job site radio. This increases the range typically associated with prior art infrared remote control devices, and enables workers to use a wide range of mobile electronic devices such as smartphones in conjunction with the job site radio instead of requiring a single-purpose remote control device.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/920,084, which is entitled “Job Site Radio With Wireless Control,” and was filed on Dec. 23, 2013, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates generally to radios, and, more particularly, to job site radios that interface with mobile electronic devices using a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Many job sites for construction or other commercial and industrial work include a group of workers who are present throughout the job site at any given time during the day. A job site radio can be used for entertainment or for distributing information throughout the job site. Since job sites can often be outdoors or in other rugged environments, the job site radio is typically encased in a durable enclosure that is optionally water proof or water resistant. Some radios offer a remote control, typically an infrared remote control, so that the radio functions can be controlled without having to physically handle the radio device itself. Some job site radios include physical connections, such as universal serial bus (USB) connections, for the physical connection of cell phones, media players, SD cards, and other forms of digital music media. 
         [0004]    One disadvantage of all the existing radios is that the media device has to be physically connected to the job site radio. This is particularly disadvantageous of the digital media device is a cell phone as the worker then cannot conveniently receive calls if the worker is not standing next to the radio. Also, since the remote control included with the radio is infrared, range is rather limited. Therefore, most times the worker has to stop working and physically operate the controls on the radio in order to control operation of the radio to adjust the volume or station for playback. The remote controls that are included in many radios are inconvenient as the remote controls may be lost or damaged on the construction site. Consequently, improvements to job site radios that improve the flexibility of control and operation of the job site radios would be beneficial. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An audio playback device is embodied as a job site radio that includes a wireless transceiver, such as a Bluetooth transceiver, that enables mobile electronic devices around the work site to stream digital music and other audio from the mobile electronic devices to the job site radio for playback. In one embodiment, the mobile electronic devices execute a software application to implement remote control functionality for the job site radio. This increases the range typically associated with prior art infrared remote control devices, and enables workers to use a wide range of mobile electronic devices such as smartphones in conjunction with the job site radio instead of requiring a single-purpose remote control device. 
         [0006]    In another embodiment, a method of operating an audio playback device has been developed. The method includes establishing with a wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device, a wireless network connection between the audio playback device and one mobile device in a plurality of mobile devices, receiving with the wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device a stream of data from a requested audio file stored in a memory of the one mobile device, generating with an audio output device in the audio playback device an audio output corresponding to the stream of data from the audio file, establishing with the wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device, another wireless network connection between the audio playback device and another mobile device in the plurality of mobile devices in response to a cessation of the stream of data from the audio file, receiving with the wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device another stream of data from another requested audio file stored in another memory of the other mobile device, and generating with the audio output device another audio output corresponding to the other stream of data from the other audio file. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a method of operating an audio playback device has been developed. The method includes receiving with a wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device a first command from a first mobile device, receiving with the wireless network transceiver in the audio playback device a second command from a second mobile device, identifying with a controller in the audio playback device a first priority level of the first mobile device and a second priority level of the second mobile device, operating with a controller the audio playback device with reference to only the first command in response to the first priority level of the first mobile device exceeding the second priority level of the second mobile device, and operating with the controller the audio playback device with reference to only the second command in response to the second priority level of the second mobile device exceeding the first priority level of the first mobile device. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, an audio playback device has been developed. The device includes a wireless network transceiver configured to establish wireless network connections with a plurality of mobile devices, an audio output device, a memory, and a controller operatively connected to the wireless network transceiver, the audio output device, and the memory. The controller is configured to establish a wireless network connection between the audio playback device and one mobile device in the plurality of mobile devices with the wireless network transceiver, receive in the audio playback device a stream of data from a requested audio file stored in a memory of the one mobile device with the wireless network transceiver, generate an audio output corresponding to the stream of data from the audio file with the audio output device, establish another wireless network connection between the audio playback device and another mobile device in the plurality of mobile devices in response to a cessation of the stream of data from the audio file with the wireless network transceiver, receive another stream of data from another requested audio file stored in another memory of the other mobile device with the wireless network transceiver, and generate another audio output corresponding to the other stream of data from the other audio file with the audio output device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a job site radio that is configured for operation in conjunction with a mobile electronic device through a wireless interface. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the job site radio from  FIG. 1  in a configuration where the job site radio automatically retrieves audio data for playback from mobile devices that are present on the job site. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a process for controlling the operation of a job site radio using multiple mobile devices that are assigned different priority levels. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the embodiments described herein, reference is now be made to the drawings and descriptions in the following written specification. No limitation to the scope of the subject matter is intended by the references. This patent also includes any alterations and modifications to the illustrated embodiments and includes further applications of the principles of the described embodiments as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this document pertains. 
         [0013]    As used herein, the terms “mobile electronic device” and “mobile device” are used interchangeably and refer to any portable electronic device that includes a wireless network adapter, a processor, and a memory that is configured to store programmed instructions and one or more audio data files. Examples of mobile electronic devices include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablet computing devices, wearable computing devices, and information systems that are integrated into motor vehicles. As described below, an audio playback system, such as a job site radio, enables multiple mobile electronic devices to provide sources of audio data for playback through the job site radio and to control the operation of the job site radio. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  depicts an audio playback system  100  that includes a job site radio  104  that communicates with a mobile device  136  using a wireless communication protocol, such as the Bluetooth protocol. The job site radio  104  is an audio playback device that includes a wireless network transceiver  108  with an antenna  110 , an AM/FM radio receiver  116  with another antenna  118 , a digital controller  124 , an optional digital audio playback device such as a compact disc (CD), MP3 player, or data network audio streaming device  128 , and audio output speakers  132 . The mobile device  136  is a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone, tablet, notebook personal computer (PC), wearable computing device, and the like. In another embodiment, the mobile device  136  is an in-vehicle information system that is integrated into a vehicle present at the job site. The vehicle includes a Bluetooth, 802.11, or other suitable wireless transceiver that communicates with the job site radio  104 . The mobile device  136  includes at least one wireless networking device that is configured to communicate with the wireless network transceiver  108  in the radio  104  to enable the mobile device  136  to control the operation of the job site radio  104 , stream audio data to the job site radio  104  for playback, and to receive status data from the job site radio  104 . 
         [0015]    In one embodiment of the job site radio  104 , the wireless network transceiver  108  is Bluetooth radio transceiver with an integrated radio frequency (RF) device that is configured to transmit and receive signals in an approved frequency band for the Bluetooth protocol, such as the 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the wireless network transceiver  108  is an LMX9838 Bluetooth transceiver module from Texas Instruments of Dallas, Tex. The Bluetooth transceiver is a universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) device that converts data that are received via the Bluetooth protocol into a serial communications protocol is provided to the controller  124 . The controller  124  also sends serial data through the UART for transmission from the Bluetooth transceiver  108  to the mobile device  136 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the Bluetooth transceiver  108  includes an integrated antenna  112 , although alternative embodiments include separate antennas that are electrically connected to the Bluetooth transceiver. While the embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicts a Bluetooth transceiver, alternative embodiments of wireless data transceivers and protocols include, but are not limited to, the 802.11 family of wireless local area network (WLAN) protocols and the wireless USB protocols for wireless data communication between the mobile electronic device  136  and the job site radio  104 . 
         [0016]    In the job site radio  104 , the controller  124  is a microcontroller, microprocessor, digital signal processor, or any other suitable digital logic device that controls the operation any playback of audio in the job site radio  124 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the controller  124  is operatively connected to the wireless network transceiver  108 , AM/FM receiver  116 , digital audio playback device  128 , and audio output speakers  132  through one or more data connections. The radio  104  optionally includes an audio multiplexer that integrated with the controller  124  or operatively connected to the controller  124 . The controller  124  operates the audio multiplexer to select a source of audio for output to the speakers  132  from the radio  116 , digital playback device  128 , or from the controller  124  in embodiments where the controller  124  decodes digital audio. The controller  124  includes one or more memory storage devices, such as a solid-state devices and random access memory (RAM) devices. The memory devices store programmed instructions for execution by the controller  124 . The memory also stores registration data pertaining to one or more of the mobile devices  136  that are associated with the job site radio  104 . The registration information optionally includes priority information that the job site radio  104  uses to determine which command to accept when the job site radio  104  receives commands and data from two or more of the mobile devices  136 . In some embodiments, the memory in the job site radio  124  optionally stores digital audio files for playback. 
         [0017]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the job site radio  104  includes an AM/FM receiver  116  with an associated antenna  118 . In one embodiment, the AM/FM receiver  116  is a commercially available radio receiver that is well known to the art. The controller  124  controls the tuning of the AM/FM receiver  116  between the AM/FM bands and selection of frequency in the AM/FM bands. While  FIG. 1  depicts an AM/FM radio  116 , other embodiments of the job site radio  104  incorporate terrestrial digital radio receivers and satellite radio receivers. 
         [0018]    The embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the job site radio  104  includes one or more optional digital audio playback devices  128 . Examples of digital audio playback devices include, but are not limited to, compact disc (CD) players, digital audio players that play music and other audio stored on a data storage device, such as a solid-state memory device, and network streaming audio players that receive digital audio from an external data network such as the Internet. Examples of digital audio players include digital playback devices that decode audio from the MP3 format and from various other digital audio formats that are known to the art including, but not limited to, Ogg-Vorbis, AAC, WMA, and FLAC formats. Network streaming devices access an external data network through a wired or wireless data connection to receive audio data from one or more online music streaming services. As described below, in one operating mode the network streaming data are received from the controller  124  in a configuration where the mobile device  136  transmits a stream of audio data to the wireless network transceiver  108 . The controller  124  directs the streaming audio data to the digital audio playback device  128  for decoding and playback through the audio output speakers  132 . 
         [0019]    During a streaming operation, the selection of music or other audio data that is transmitted from the mobile device  136  to the job site radio can be based on a predetermined playlist that is selected by the user based on the musical tastes of the user. In one configuration, the job site radio  104  uses the same playlists that are already present in the mobile device  136  for playback of music using a built-in audio playback program in the mobile device  136 . If the user of the mobile device  136  updates the playlist, then the job site radio  104  automatically receives streaming audio corresponding to the updated playlist. In another embodiment, the user of the mobile device  136  selects radio stations in configurations of the mobile device  136  that include analog AM/FM or digital radio receivers or online musical streams from an online music streaming service. The job site radio  104  optionally receives the preferred radio station or streaming network service settings from the mobile device  136  and automatically tunes the radio receiver  116  or network audio device  128  to the same settings that are used in the mobile device  136 . In this configuration, the job site radio  104  receives audio from the same preferred sources as are configured by the user of the mobile device  136 , but does not have to stream the audio directly from the mobile device  136 , which reduces the power usage requirements of the mobile device  136 . The job site radio  104  receives updates from the mobile device  136  if the user of the mobile device  136  changes the preferred radio station or network audio stream, and the job site radio  104  uses the updated source of audio. 
         [0020]    The job site radio  104  includes audio output speakers  132 . In one embodiment, the audio output speakers  132  include one or more loudspeakers that are integrated into the housing of the job site radio  104 . The audio output device  132  also includes filters, amplifiers, and other devices that enable generation of audio output through the speakers. The audio output speakers  132  optionally include output connectors for headphones or external speakers. 
         [0021]    During operation, the mobile device  136  communicates with the wireless network transceiver  108  in the job site radio  104  to establish a “pairing” relationship that is commonly used with some wireless network devices, including Bluetooth devices. After completion of the pairing process, the mobile device  136  is used to control the operation of the job site radio  104 , monitor the operating status of the job site radio  104 , stream music or other audio to the job site radio  104  from a memory in the mobile device  136 , and to transmit audio that is recorded from a microphone in the mobile device  136  to enable the job site radio to act as a loudspeaker for announcements. 
         [0022]    In one mode of operation, the mobile electronic device  136  controls the operation of the job site radio  104 . For example, in one embodiment a processor in the mobile electronic device  136  executes a software application that presents a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user. The GUI depicts if the job site radio  108  is tuned to the AM or FM band, the frequency of the radio, and a volume level of the job site radio  108 . The user optionally enters input to adjust the band, frequency, and volume of the job site radio  108 . The controller  124  receives the commands through the wireless network transceiver  108  and adjusts the operation of the AM/FM receiver  116  accordingly. 
         [0023]    In another mode of operation, the mobile electronic device  136  displays a track number and optionally album name, song name, artist name, track length and progress, and digital album art to an end user when the job site radio  104  plays recorded music on a CD, digital MP3, or streamed from the Internet with the module  128 . The mobile device  136  also presents a graphical user interface with controls to change the music track or adjust the volume of playback for any of the digital audio sources. The controller  124  receives the commands from the mobile device  136  through the wireless network transceiver  108  and adjusts the operation of the digital audio playback device  128  accordingly. 
         [0024]    In another mode of operation, the mobile electronic device  136  streams audio data to the job site radio  104  for playback through the job site radio  104 . Many mobile devices include a memory that stores digital audio data, and many mobile devices receive streaming audio through a wireless data network from online audio streaming services. A software application on the mobile device  136  generates a graphical user interface to enable selection of audio for streaming to the job site radio  104 . The mobile device  136  transmits the digital audio data to the wireless network transceiver  108  in the job site radio  104 . The controller  124  receives the digital audio data. In one embodiment, the controller  124  decodes the digital audio data for output to the audio output speakers  132 . In another embodiment, the controller  124  directs the digital audio data to the digital audio playback device  128  and the digital audio playback device  128  subsequently decodes the streaming audio data for playback. 
         [0025]    In another operating mode of the job site radio  104  that includes streaming audio from the mobile device  136 , the job site radio  104  operates as a loudspeaker for verbal announcements from a supervisor or other job site employee who speaks into a microphone in the mobile device  136 . As is known in the art, mobile devices such as smartphones include microphones for conducting phone calls and other audio recording purposes. Some models of other mobile devices including tablets and notebook computers also include microphones. In one embodiment, the software application on the mobile device  136  presents a “push to talk” or other graphical control to the user to activate and deactivate the loudspeaker functionality. The software application that is executed on the mobile device  136  is granted permission to access the microphone, and the software application encodes pulse code modulated (PCM) or other audio input data from the microphone into a compressed audio format that is transmitted to from the mobile device  136  to the wireless network transceiver  108  in the job site radio. The controller  124  then decodes the audio data and plays the audio through the audio output  132 . The streaming audio process for loudspeaker announcements is similar to the streaming process for audio playback from music files that are stored in the mobile device  136 , but the source of the audio is from the microphone in the mobile device  136 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the activation of the loudspeaker functionality preempts the playback of audio from other sources, such as the radio receiver  116 , digital playback device  128 , or mobile device  136 , and playback of the audio from the other sources resumes after the loudspeaker operating mode is deactivated. The controller  124  receives the audio data stream for the loudspeaker from the wireless network transceiver  108  that includes an identifier corresponding to a loudspeaker operating mode. The controller  124  pauses the playback of digital music from the digital music device  128  or deactivates the radio receiver  116  during the transmission of the streaming loudspeaker audio data from the mobile device  136 . After termination of the audio stream, the controller  124  resumes playback of audio from the previously activated source. In a configuration where the previous audio source is streaming audio from the mobile device  136 , the software application and the processor in the mobile device  136  deactivates the streaming of the music or other audio to enable streaming of the audio input through the microphone to the job site radio  104 . Upon deactivation of the loudspeaker mode, the software application and processor in the mobile device  136  resume streaming of the audio data to the job site radio  104  for playback. 
         [0027]    As described above, the job site radio  104  is configured to receive audio data from a mobile device  136  on the job site using the wireless network transceiver  108 .  FIG. 2  depicts a process  200  for automated playback of audio files that are stored in mobile devices around the job site through the job site radio  104 . In the process  200 , the job site radio  104  selects audio files for playback and streams the audio data from the mobile devices in an automated manner to provide playback of music or other sound files with minimal requirements for interaction from workers at the job site. In the discussion below, a reference to the process  200  performing a function or action refers to a processor, such as the controller  124  or a processor in a mobile device, executing stored program instructions to perform the function or action. The process  200  is described in conjunction with the system  100  of  FIG. 1  for illustrative purposes. 
         [0028]    Process  200  begins as one or more mobile devices grant the job site radio access to audio files that are stored in memory in the mobile devices (block  204 ). In one embodiment, the access process includes a network access stage to enable communication between the mobile devices  136  and the job site radio  104 , and a media permission access stage where operators of the mobile devices  136  grant access to one or more audio files for playback through the job site radio  104 . For example, in the system  100 , the wireless network transceiver  108  in the job site radio  108  is a Bluetooth transceiver, and the job site radio  104  is granted wireless access to the mobile devices  136  through a pairing process with corresponding Bluetooth transceivers in the mobile devices  136 . In another embodiment, the job site radio  104  acts as a wireless base station or access point and the mobile devices  136  establish wireless connections with the job site radio  104  using passphrases, cryptographic keys, or other login credentials to establish the wireless connections. To perform the media permission access stage, each of the mobile electronic devices  136  executes a software application that identifies stored audio files held in a memory formed by one more data storage devices that are associated with the mobile electronic device. The user selects audio files that are available for playback through the job site radio  104 . The software application enables the user to select large groups of related audio files easily, such as by musical group, album, genre, etc. 
         [0029]    During process  200 , the access procedure is optionally performed when a mobile device first accesses a job site radio, and does not need to be performed repeatedly to enable automated playback of audio files stored on a mobile device. For example, during a two-week job a mobile device  136  is registered once with the job site radio  104 , but the job site radio  104  continues to have access to the audio files in the mobile device  136  when the mobile device  136  is present at the job site without requiring additional action by the user. 
         [0030]    Process  200  continues when the job site radio enters an autonomous network audio playback mode (block  208 ). In the autonomous network audio playback mode, the job site radio  104  identifies one or more of the mobile network devices  136  that are accessible through the wireless network transceiver  108 . During the course of operation, the number of available mobile devices  136  changes as workers carry mobile devices on and off the job site, and the job site radio  104  monitors the availability of the mobile devices. The autonomous network audio playback mode is activated through a command sent from one of the mobile devices  136  or through a control interface that is integrated with the job sit radio  104 . 
         [0031]    Process  200  continues as the controller  124  in the job site radio  104  selects the next audio file in the playback list for playback from one of the mobile devices  136  that is accessible through the wireless network interface  108  (block  212 ). In one embodiment, the job site radio  104  requests audio files from one or more of the mobile devices  136  in a randomized manner, or the job site radio  104  requests audio files in a predetermined order based on a playlist or other sorting technique. The wireless network transceiver  108  in the job site radio  104  receives a stream of the data in the requested audio file from the mobile device  136 , and the controller  124  generates an audio output through the audio output speakers  132  (block  216 ). In one embodiment, the job site radio  104  buffers a portion of the audio data in memory to enable continuous playback. The job site radio  104  does not, however, store the audio data after completion of the playback. Thus, in the system  100  the job site radio  104  does not require large internal data storage devices to store audio files when the audio files are stored in the mobile devices  136 . 
         [0032]    Process  200  continues with the streaming of audio data for playback as described with reference to the processing of block  216  until cessation of the audio stream. The cessation typically occurs upon reaching the end of the audio file or if the job site radio  104  is unable to continue streaming the audio file due to a loss of wireless communication between the mobile device  136  and the job site radio  104  (block  220 ). At the end of playback or when the wireless network connection is lost (block  220 ), the controller  124  selects another audio file from a different mobile device to continue audio playback (block  224 ). Process  200  continues as the job site radio  104  plays audio from one or more of the mobile devices  136 . The autonomous playback in process  200  enables the job site radio  104  to play back approved music and audio from the mobile devices of one or more workers without requiring the workers to take the time to select songs for playback and control the job site radio  104  manually. 
         [0033]    The job site radio  104  is configured to perform the operating modes that are described above separately or in conjunction with one another. For example, one of the mobile devices  136  streams compressed music data to the job site radio  104  and acts as a remote control for the volume and playback of audio from the job site radio  104  in one configuration. The multiple mobile devices can also interact with the job site radio based on a priority structure. For example, a mobile device  136  that belongs to a worker at the job site is registered with the job site radio  104  to stream music and act as a remote control for the radio. Another one of the job site radios that belongs to a supervisor at the job site is registered with the job site radio  104  with additional permission to act as an input source for the loudspeaker functionality in the job site radio. If the job site radio  104  receives conflicting commands from the two mobile devices, then the controller  124  performs the command from the mobile device  136  of the supervisor that is assigned a higher priority level. As used herein, the term “conflicting command” refers to any command is any command that changes the operation of the job site radio to halt a previously selected mode of operation. For example, changing the playback audio file, activating the loudspeaker mode instead of playing music are examples of conflicting commands. In some embodiments, an administrator mobile device selects operational commands that are considered “conflicting” commands so, for example, a command that changes the output volume level for the output speakers  132  may be considered a conflicting command in one operating configuration but a non-conflicting command in another configuration. 
         [0034]    The controller  124  identifies the priority level based on the hardware network addresses of the multiple network devices  136  that transmit commands to the job site radio  104 . The controller  124  stores the hardware address data in the memory during the initial registration process, and associates the hardware addresses with different priority levels that are assigned during the registration process. Thus, a command from one of the mobile devices  136  that is associated with a supervisor at the job site supersedes another command from another mobile device that is associated with a worker at the job site. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  depicts a process  300  for operating an audio playback device, such as a job site radio, using multiple mobile electronic devices that are configured with different priority levels. In the discussion below, a reference to the process  300  performing a function or action refers to a processor, such as the controller  124  or a processor in a mobile device, executing stored program instructions to perform the function or action. The process  300  is described in conjunction with the system  100  of  FIG. 1  for illustrative purposes. 
         [0036]    Process  300  begins with a registration and priority level assignment processes between the audio playback device and two or more mobile electronic devices (block  304 ). The registration process optionally includes a pairing process, such as Bluetooth device pairing, or another process during which the job site radio  104  receives registration information from one of the mobile devices  136  through the wireless network transceiver  108 . The registration data include a hardware address identifier that is associated with the physical hardware in the mobile electronic device, such as a media access control (MAC) address, unique hardware device serial number, or other suitable hardware address information. The hardware address information for the mobile device  136  does not typically change during operation of the mobile device. In some embodiments, the registration data also include a username and password or cryptographic token that the job site radio  104  uses to identify the user of a device instead of or in addition to the hardware address that is associated with the mobile device. In the radio  104 , the controller  124  stores the registration data for each of the registered mobile devices  136  in a memory to identify the mobile devices during operation of the job site radio  104 . 
         [0037]    The registration process also assigns priority levels to each of the registered mobile devices  136 . In one configuration, the party who owns or controls the job site radio  104  registers a mobile device with a highest level of privileges that override the privileges of other registered devices. The mobile device with the highest level of privileges is referred to as an “administrative device” for explanatory purposes herein. For example, a supervisor at a job site can use the administrative mobile device  136  to prevent other mobile devices  136  from accessing the job site radio  104  as a loudspeaker, but the other mobile devices  136  may retain limited access such as having the ability to tune a different radio station or update playlists for music. The administrative mobile device  136  can be used to add or remove privileges from the remaining registered mobile devices to adjust the control priority levels of different mobile devices in the system  100 . 
         [0038]    In some situations, the job site radio  104  accepts commands from different mobile devices. For example, the administrative mobile device  136  may generate a playback command for the job site radio  104  to generate an audio output of a music playlist that is stored in the memories one or more of the mobile devices  136 . One of the mobile devices with a lower privilege level may send commands to raise or lower the volume of the audio output during operation without conflict. In some instances, the job site radio  104  receives conflicting commands from two different mobile devices  136  that are assigned equal priority levels. In two different configurations, the job site radio  104  either performs the action from the most recently received command or ignores new commands until completing an action, such as completing playback of an audio file. 
         [0039]    During process  300  the job site radio  104  may receive conflicting commands from two different mobile devices that have two different priority levels (block  308 ). For example, the job site radio  104  may receive a command from another one of the mobile devices  136  that selects different music from the music on the play list that the job site radio  104  receives from the administrator device  136 . The job site radio  104  can receive the conflicting commands from the two mobile devices  136  in any order. 
         [0040]    To resolve the conflicting commands, the controller  124  identifies the priority levels of both the first mobile device and second mobile device that submitted the conflicting commands (block  312 ). In one embodiment, the controller  124  identifies the unique hardware address identifiers or user credentials for the two mobile devices and retrieves the corresponding device priority levels that were generated during the registration process from memory. The controller  124  ignores the command that is received from the mobile device with the lower priority level and either continues to operate in accordance with the command from the higher priority device, or changes operation to perform the command from the higher priority mobile device instead of the command from the lower priority device (block  316 ). The job site radio  104  optionally transmits an error message to the lower-priority mobile device  136  to inform the user that the transmitted command will not be executed due to a priority conflict. 
         [0041]    It will be appreciated that variants of the above-described and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems, applications or methods. Additional information pertaining to this patent is included in the attached appendix, which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art that are also intended to be encompassed by the embodiments disclosed herein and as set forth in the following claims.