Acoustic Peripheral Interface for Smartphone Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high costs associated with designing and manufacturing peripherals for smartphones, particularly due to the need for connectors like the iPhone's 30-pin connector, hinder the integration of smartphone capabilities into low-cost or low-margin items such as toys, which could benefit from smartphone integration.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for interfacing peripheral devices with smartphones using unique tones or signals generated by the peripheral devices, received through the smartphone's microphone, processed into digital commands, and correlated with real-time data to identify actions, enabling enhanced functionalities such as scoring systems for games without the need for costly connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If connectors like the iPhone's 30-pin connector are used to interface peripherals with smartphones, then reliable data connection is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical connector system with an acoustic communication system. The peripheral device generates unique tones that are transmitted through air to the smartphone's microphone, eliminating the need for physical connectors like the 30-pin connector. This substitution maintains data transmission capability while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs and licensing fees.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary medium for data transmission between the peripheral device and smartphone. Instead of direct electrical contact through connectors, the system uses acoustic waves propagating through air to carry information, enabling connectorless communication while maintaining reliability through unique tone generation and recognition.
2Ease of manufacture
If expensive connectors are eliminated to reduce costs, then manufacturing cost decreases, but data transmission capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical connector-based data transmission system with an acoustic signal transmission system. The peripheral device generates unique tones corresponding to detected events, which are received and processed by the smartphone's microphone and processor, maintaining full data transmission capability without requiring expensive physical connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an alternative communication channel that copies the data transmission function of connectors. By generating unique tones for each detected event and processing these tones through the microphone into digital commands, the system replicates the data exchange capability of traditional connectors using acoustic signals instead.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the integration of smartphone capabilities into low-cost items by eliminating the need for expensive connectors, enabling enhanced gaming experiences and scoring systems through the correlation of digital commands with real-time data, thereby expanding smartphone functionality to a broader range of applications.
Implementation Method 1
The signals are conveyed to a mobile device where they are received through a microphone in communication with the mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for interfacing with a mobile device. According to one aspect, a method for interfacing one or more peripheral devices with a mobile device having a processor is provided. One or more unique tones/signals are generated at a respective peripheral device corresponding to an event detected by the respective peripheral device. The tones/signals are conveyed to a mobile device where they are received through a microphone in communication with the mobile device. A processor processes the signals into one or more digital commands, and correlates the digital commands with real-time data to identify an action. One or more outputs are then provided based upon the action.