Dynamic Token Assignment for True Wireless Stereo Audio Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Bluetooth speakers require cumbersome cabled connections for stereo audio communication, limiting convenience and efficiency in wireless audio solutions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic-token-based primary-secondary-selection algorithm enables true wireless stereo audio communication between speakers, utilizing a Bluetooth network with a point-to-multipoint connection, where one speaker acts as a slave and another as a virtual slave, optimizing power consumption and link quality for reliable audio transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cabled connections are used between speakers for stereo audio communication, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to cumbersome cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with a wireless Bluetooth communication system. The speakers communicate audio data and control signals wirelessly through Bluetooth radio waves, eliminating the need for physical cable connections while maintaining connection reliability through protocol-level error correction and retransmission mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless communication protocol (Bluetooth) as an intermediary between the speakers to establish reliable communication without physical cables. The protocol layer provides abstraction for data transmission, handling connection management, error correction, and synchronization to ensure reliable stereo audio communication wirelessly.
2Reliability
If both speakers transmit audio data independently to the source, then audio transmission reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an asymmetric role assignment where one speaker is designated as the primary audio receiver and the other as secondary. The primary speaker receives audio data from the source and forwards it to the secondary speaker, while the secondary speaker only receives data from the primary. This asymmetric communication pattern reduces total power consumption while maintaining stereo audio reliability through coordinated transmission roles.
3Use of energy by moving object
If one speaker acts as slave and another as virtual slave, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to role management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where speakers can switch between slave and virtual slave roles based on current operational conditions such as audio source availability, connection quality, and power state. This dynamic role management allows the system to optimize power efficiency in different scenarios while the underlying complexity is abstracted away through automatic role negotiation protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A power-efficient, balanced, and reliable true wireless Bluetooth stereo audio solution is provided. Two audio sink devices are used to render audio content received from an audio source. One sink device is connected to the audio source via a primary link. The other sink device sniffs communication on the primary link. The two sink devices are connected via a hybrid link. In some embodiments, a token is passed dynamically between the two sink devices. The sink device that has the token acts as a primary sink device on a primary link with the source. The other sink device acts as a slave to the primary link.