Wireless Audio Device Pairing via Sound Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for connecting wireless devices are cumbersome and inefficient, particularly for always-on devices and those used by elderly or impaired individuals, as they require user interaction and can drain battery life, and do not scale well for wireless audio applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that capture proximate sound using a microphone and receive audio content via a wireless receiver to establish a wireless connection based on a substantial match between the captured sound and the received audio content, allowing devices to automatically discover and connect without user intervention, using technologies like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional connection methods (menu navigation, button pressing) are used, then connection can be established, but user effort and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic device connection by having the first wireless device independently perform sound capture, audio content reception, and connection establishment based on correlation analysis, eliminating the need for user intervention in menu navigation and button pressing
Solution Approach 2:
The first wireless device continuously captures sound and receives audio content in advance, preparing the necessary data for correlation-based connection determination before actual connection is needed, enabling rapid automatic connection when conditions are met
2Adaptability or versatility
If continuous wireless scanning for device discovery is performed, then device connectivity is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional active wireless scanning mechanisms with a passive acoustic detection approach, where the first wireless device uses its microphone to capture sound and correlate with received audio content, substituting energy-intensive radio scanning with lower-power acoustic sensing and processing
Solution Approach 2:
Acoustic sound waves serve as an intermediary medium between devices, allowing the first wireless device to detect the presence and characteristics of the second device through captured sound that correlates with received audio content, enabling indirect device discovery without direct wireless scanning
3Ease of operation
If automatic connection without user interaction is implemented, then ease of operation improves, but reliability of connection establishment decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses correlation between captured sound and received audio content as feedback to determine whether automatic connection conditions are met, providing an objective criterion that enhances the reliability of automated connection decisions while maintaining ease of operation
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
Enables seamless and efficient automatic connection of wireless devices, such as hearing aids and televisions, by correlating audio sources, reducing user effort and preserving battery life while improving connectivity for various audio-enabled devices.
Implementation Method 1
capturing sound via a microphone
Data Source
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AI summary
The disclosure generally relates to connecting wireless devices based on a correlation between different audio sources. For example, according to various aspects, a first wireless device may capture sound via a microphone and receive audio content from a second wireless device via a wireless receiver. Accordingly, a wireless connection may be established between the first and second wireless devices based on a substantial match between the sound captured via the microphone and the audio content received via the wireless receiver. For example, the sound captured via the microphone may be output from a speaker on the second wireless device. In other examples, the received audio content may be sound captured via a local microphone at the second wireless device. In either case, the correlation between the audio received through the microphone and the audio content received over a radio may substantially simplify the procedure(s) used to connect two audio-enabled devices.