Concurrent Audio Streaming to Multiple Wireless Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current audio streaming technologies do not efficiently enable concurrent streaming of audio to multiple wireless audio output devices without requiring direct pairing and manual configuration, limiting shared listening experiences.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for temporarily pairing an electronic device with another user's wireless audio output device, allowing concurrent audio streaming by generating and managing pairing information, synchronizing audio parameters, and automatically disconnecting after a timeout, enabling independent control of audio streams and properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If direct pairing and manual configuration are required for each wireless audio output device, then connection security and device control are improved, but ease of operation and setup time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The first wireless audio output device acts as an intermediary to establish a temporary pairing with the second wireless audio output device. This mediator approach allows the electronic device to stream audio to multiple devices without requiring direct manual pairing between the electronic device and each audio device, thus maintaining security while improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The first wireless audio output device performs preliminary pairing actions with the second wireless audio output device before the electronic device needs to stream audio to it. This pre-established pairing information enables quick connection without real-time manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between security and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If concurrent streaming to multiple devices is enabled without temporary pairing, then productivity and ease of operation are improved, but connection security and device management deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidconnection security
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The pairing between the electronic device and the second wireless audio output device is dynamically temporary rather than permanent. The pairing information is automatically deleted after a timeout period or when the audio streaming session ends, allowing concurrent streaming to multiple devices while maintaining security through transient connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The audio streaming system is segmented into independent streaming sessions to different wireless audio output devices. Each device can be paired and streamed to independently through the intermediary mechanism, allowing concurrent operations while maintaining individual connection security through separate temporary pairing information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If manual configuration is required for each audio device, then device control precision is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice controlVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service through automatic pairing information generation and management. The first wireless audio output device automatically generates pairing information for the second device, and the electronic device automatically manages the temporary pairing without user intervention, eliminating manual configuration time while maintaining control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3668070B1Concurrent audio streaming to multiple wireless audio output devices
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 APPLE INC
  • EP3668070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3668070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3668070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A device providing concurrent audio streaming to multiple wireless audio output devices may include at least one processor configured to receive a user selection of at least two paired audio output devices. The at least one processor may be further configured to connect to each of the at least two of the paired audio output devices. The at least one processor may be further configured to synchronize at least one audio output synchronization parameter across each of the at least two of the paired audio output devices. The at least one processor may be further configured to concurrently stream a respective audio stream to each of the at least two of the paired audio output devices.