Bluetooth Master Device Bandwidth Allocation for Multi-Device Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Bluetooth communication systems are limited in their ability to efficiently transmit data to multiple audio playback devices, as they typically support only one data output source connected to one audio playback device, leading to inefficiencies in data distribution and potential data integrity issues when multiple devices are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that allocate bandwidth resources dynamically between a data source device and a slave device, with the master device caching data from the source and adjusting bandwidth allocation based on cached data volume thresholds to ensure data integrity and efficiency in multi-device scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the master device establishes Bluetooth connection with both data source device and slave device to enable multi-device data transmission, then data distribution capability is improved, but communication reliability deteriorates due to potential data integrity issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata distribution capabilityVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments Bluetooth communication into two distinct modes: data reception mode (communicating with data source device) and data forwarding mode (communicating with slave device). This segmentation allows the master device to handle different communication tasks separately, ensuring data integrity while enabling multi-device data distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by caching data from the data source device before forwarding it to the slave device. The master device receives and caches data packets in advance, then transmits cached data to the slave device, ensuring that data forwarding does not compromise the integrity of the original data reception.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the master device forwards all data from data source to slave device, then complete data transmission is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission completenessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allowing the master device to forward only a portion of the data it receives from the data source device to the slave device. Specifically, the master device forwards data until the cached data volume reaches a threshold, then switches to receiving mode, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining essential data transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action through mode switching between data reception and data forwarding. The master device alternates between these two modes based on cached data volume thresholds, creating a periodic communication pattern that reduces power consumption compared to continuous data forwarding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Productivity

If the master device switches between data reception and forwarding modes frequently, then bandwidth utilization is improved, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to mode switching overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth utilizationVSAvoidmode switching overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses parameter changes by setting specific threshold values for cached data volume that trigger mode switching. The first threshold (for switching from reception to forwarding mode) and second threshold (for switching from forwarding to reception mode) are carefully chosen to optimize the balance between bandwidth utilization and switching overhead, reducing frequent mode changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If the slave device acquires data through data interception, then data acquisition capability is improved, but communication protocol complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition capabilityVSAvoidcommunication protocol complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the master device as an intermediary between the data source device and the slave device. The master device receives data from the data source, caches it, and then forwards it to the slave device, simplifying the communication protocol for the slave device while maintaining data acquisition capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10581998B2Method for bluetooth communication, electronic device and bluetooth system

Publication Date: 2020.03.03 SMARTECH WORLDWIDE

AI summary

A method for Bluetooth communication includes: in Bluetooth communication, allocating bandwidth resources as a first bandwidth resource for communication with a data source device and a second bandwidth resource for communication with a slave device; in the communication with the data source device, receiving and caching data from the data source device; in the communication with the slave device, determining whether the volume of the cached data is less than a first threshold; and if the data volume of the cached data is less than the first threshold, using at least a portion of the second bandwidth resource for the communication with the data source device.