Audio-Based Near Field Communication for Bluetooth Pairing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sharing Bluetooth connectivity information, such as NFC, can be inconvenient or impractical in certain situations, limiting communal listening experiences among multiple users.
Innovation Solution
The use of audio-based near field communication, where an audio playback device receives audio encoded with Bluetooth connectivity information and extracts it to form a Bluetooth connection with an audio source device, enabling communal listening experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NFC is used to exchange Bluetooth connectivity information, then connection establishment is reliable, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience and impracticality in certain situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based NFC system with an acoustic communication system. The audio playback device captures audio signals containing Bluetooth connectivity information through its microphone, extracts the information, and establishes Bluetooth connections without requiring physical proximity or contact. This substitution of acoustic field for electromagnetic field enables connectivity sharing in situations where NFC is impractical.
2Reliability
If traditional Bluetooth pairing methods are used, then connection security is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to manual pairing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the audio source device embed Bluetooth connectivity information (including security credentials) within audio signals before transmission. The audio playback device receives and extracts this pre-prepared information, allowing rapid connection establishment without manual pairing steps. This pre-packaging of connectivity data accelerates the pairing process while maintaining security through the use of established Bluetooth security protocols.
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 method allows for convenient and practical sharing of Bluetooth connectivity information, enabling synchronized, communal listening experiences among multiple users without the need for NFC.
Implementation Method 1
audio is generated by an acoustic transducer. The audio is encoded with Bluetooth connectivity information
Implementation Method 2
The audio is received by a microphone of an audio playback device
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed systems and method provide for an audio playback device to form a Bluetooth connection with an audio source device based on audio generated by an acoustic transducer. The audio is encoded with Bluetooth connectivity data corresponding to the audio source device. The acoustic transducer can be arranged on the audio source device, or it can be arranged on an audio playback device connected to the audio source device via a Bluetooth connection. The audio is received by a microphone of an audio playback device. The audio playback device then extracts the Bluetooth connectivity information from the audio, and forms a Bluetooth connection with the audio source device. If the Bluetooth connection is a Broadcast Audio stream, as defined by the LE Audio standard, multiple audio playback devices can be able to connect audio source device, allowing for a communal listening experience.