Wireless Speaker Adapter for In-Ear Audio and Network Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless headphones are either cumbersome due to cords or large in size, and lack the ability to seamlessly transition between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, limiting their usability and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A wireless earphone system that includes a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio over ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, automatically transitioning between them, and featuring a programmable processor circuit and multiple acoustic transducers for seamless audio playback from both local and remote digital audio sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless headphones use a docking port for connection, then wireless audio playback is enabled, but the headphone size becomes large and cannot be in-ear type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the docking port functionality from the headphone unit itself and relocates it to a separate adapter that connects to the audio source device. This allows the headphones to achieve wireless audio playback through the adapter's docking connection while maintaining a compact, in-ear form factor without the bulk of an integrated docking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary device between the audio source and the headphones. The adapter contains the docking port and wireless communication capabilities, serving as a mediator that enables wireless audio playback while keeping the headphones themselves small and comfortable for in-ear wear
2Ease of operation
If wireless headphones use IEEE 802.11 WLAN connection, then cordless operation is achieved, but the headphone size becomes large and cannot be in-ear type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the WLAN radio and antenna components from the headphone unit and places them in the external adapter. This extraction allows the headphones to achieve cordless operation through the adapter's wireless capabilities while maintaining a compact size suitable for in-ear wear
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary that houses the WLAN communication hardware, enabling cordless operation between the audio source and headphones without requiring the headphones themselves to contain large wireless communication components
3Adaptability or versatility
If cordless headphones are designed with docking port, then wireless connectivity is enabled, but the headphones become large and uncomfortable for in-ear use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the docking port and wireless connectivity functionality from the headphone unit and relocates it to a separate adapter that connects to the audio source. This allows wireless connectivity to be achieved while keeping the in-ear headphones small, light, and comfortable for prolonged wear
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter acts as an intermediary device that provides wireless connectivity capabilities externally, allowing the headphones themselves to remain minimal and comfortable for in-ear use while still achieving versatile wireless connection options
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.