Dual Mode Bluetooth Headset SCO ACL Transport Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bluetooth devices, particularly headsets, face interference issues with other wireless technologies like WiFi and WiMAX due to overlapping spectrum allocations, leading to poor voice quality and interference problems, especially in environments where simultaneous use of radios is necessary.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dual mode wireless headsets that can switch between synchronous circuit-switched (SCO) and asynchronous packet-switched (ACL) transports based on operating conditions, such as radio frequency quality and network criteria, to optimize voice quality and data throughput, allowing for simultaneous or sequential use of both transports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If synchronous circuit-switched (SCO) transport is used for voice communication, then real-time audio transmission is achieved, but interference with other wireless technologies (WiFi, WiMAX) occurs due to overlapping spectrum allocations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice qualityVSAvoidinterference from other wireless technologies
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between SCO and ACL transport modes based on real-time operating conditions such as radio frequency quality and network criteria. This dynamic adaptation allows the headset to optimize voice quality by selecting the appropriate transport mode while avoiding interference with other wireless technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the transport mode parameter (from synchronous SCO to asynchronous ACL) based on operating conditions. By monitoring radio frequency quality and network criteria, the system adjusts the transport mode to maintain voice quality while avoiding spectrum interference with WiFi and WiMAX technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If asynchronous packet-switched (ACL) transport is used for data transmission, then data throughput is achieved, but real-time voice communication quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidvoice quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between ACL and SCO transport modes based on real-time conditions. When data transmission is prioritized, ACL mode provides high throughput; when voice quality is critical, the system switches to SCO mode for reliable real-time audio transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically evaluates operating conditions including radio frequency quality and network criteria to determine the optimal transport mode. This periodic assessment ensures that the system transitions between ACL and SCO modes at appropriate intervals to maintain both data throughput and voice quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If both SCO and ACL transports are used simultaneously, then both voice and data communication are achieved, but device complexity and scheduling conflicts increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication modesVSAvoidtransport management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between SCO and ACL modes based on real-time operating conditions rather than maintaining both simultaneously. This dynamic selection simplifies transport management by avoiding the complexity of coordinating both modes at once, while still providing adaptability through mode switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of operating conditions (radio frequency quality, network criteria) before selecting a transport mode. This preliminary assessment prevents scheduling conflicts by choosing the appropriate mode in advance based on current system state and requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2090084B1Methods and devices for dual mode bidirectional audio communication
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 GOOGLE TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP2090084B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2090084B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2090084B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are dual mode I/O devices and methods for transmission of a short range radio link such as a Bluetooth link that is a bi-directional real-time audio communication signal that can be over a synchronous circuit-switched transport and an asynchronous packet-switched transport either sequentially or simultaneously. Also disclosed are dual mode wireless headset systems and methods of at least two dual mode I/O devices and more particularly including a wireless audio terminal and an audio gateway for transmission of a bi-directional real-time audio communication signal that can be over a synchronous circuit-switched (SCO) transport and an asynchronous packet-switched (ACL) transport either sequentially or simultaneously. Having both SCO and ACL modes available may allow the user to optimize voice quality or data throughput under different operating conditions. The user may benefit from better Bluetooth voice quality and may have the flexibility of using either mode depending upon the situation.