Cross-Earbud Packet Acknowledgment for Spatialized Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless transmission schemes fail to provide sufficient acknowledgment of receipt of left and right audio channels by both devices within the timing required for spatialized audio, leading to inefficiencies in wireless audio systems.
Innovation Solution
Implement a wireless packet acknowledgment scheme where a second peripheral device eavesdrops on the isochronous data stream intended for the first peripheral device, allowing it to transmit acknowledgments or negative acknowledgments, thereby enabling efficient retransmission of unreceived or corrupted packets, and alternating acknowledgment devices based on link quality to improve system efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If both peripheral devices transmit acknowledgments for all received packets, then reliability of audio channel delivery is improved, but device complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acknowledgment functions of both peripheral devices into a single device. The first peripheral device transmits block acknowledgments for both the first and second isochronous data streams, eliminating redundant acknowledgments from the second device and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining delivery reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The first peripheral device performs multiple functions: receiving and processing packets from both data streams, generating block acknowledgments for both streams, and transmitting consolidated acknowledgments to the central device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate acknowledgment mechanisms for each device
2Reliability
If both peripheral devices transmit acknowledgments within strict timing requirements, then spatialized audio performance is improved, but loss of time due to coordination overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acknowledgment transmissions into a single consolidated block acknowledgment from the first peripheral device, eliminating the need for both devices to coordinate separate acknowledgment timings. This reduces time loss while maintaining spatialized audio performance
Solution Approach 2:
The first peripheral device receives and buffers packets from both isochronous data streams before generating block acknowledgments. This preliminary action allows the device to prepare acknowledgments in advance, reducing timing coordination overhead and ensuring compliance with spatialized audio timing requirements
3Reliability
If the second peripheral device eavesdrops on the first data stream, then completeness of audio channel reception is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the eavesdropping function from the second peripheral device, eliminating the need for it to receive and process packets from the first isochronous data stream. The second device only receives its designated second data stream, reducing energy consumption while maintaining audio channel completeness through the first device's block acknowledgment mechanism
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AI summary
Methods and systems of acknowledgment of wireless data packets is provided. For example, such a method can include receiving, from a central device, such as a smartphone, at a first peripheral device, such as a left earbud, a first isochronous data stream intended to be received by the first peripheral device. The method further includes receiving, from a central device at a second peripheral device, such as a right earbud, a second isochronous data stream intended to be received by the second peripheral device. In some examples, the second peripheral device is a right earbud. The method further includes eavesdropping, via the second peripheral device, the first isochronous data stream in an attempt to receive a packet of the first isochronous data stream. The method further includes sending, from the second peripheral device, an acknowledgment after the packet has been received by the second peripheral device.