Wireless Earphone Adapter Architecture for Seamless Network Handover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless headphones are either cumbersome due to cords or large in size, and lack the ability to seamlessly transition between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, limiting their range and usability.
Innovation Solution
A wireless earphone with a transceiver circuit that automatically transitions between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, allowing it to maintain audio streaming by connecting to a host server if the direct network is out of range, and featuring a compact design with adjustable ear canal portions for snug fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless headphones use a docking port for direct connection, then wireless audio streaming is enabled, but the headphones become large and cannot be in-ear type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the docking port functionality from the headphone unit itself and relocates it to a separate portable digital audio player. This allows the headphones to be miniaturized to in-ear size while maintaining wireless audio streaming capability through the separated docking station that remains in the player device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into two separate components: a portable digital audio player containing the docking port and wireless communication interface, and miniature in-ear headphones. This segmentation enables the headphones to be small and comfortable while the larger docking functionality resides in the player, resolving the size-capability contradiction.
2Reliability
If conventional headphones use a cord for connection, then stable audio transmission is achieved, but the cord becomes cumbersome and limits physical distance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cord connection with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The docking port in the portable audio player establishes a wireless link with the headphones, eliminating the physical cord while maintaining reliable audio transmission through radio frequency communication, thus improving mobility without sacrificing transmission stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wireless headphones lack network transition capability, then device complexity is reduced, but range and usability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The portable digital audio player serves multiple functions: it acts as both the audio source and the wireless docking station. The player's transceiver circuit handles both audio playback and wireless communication protocols, including transitions between ad hoc and infrastructure networks. This multi-functionality enables network adaptability without requiring separate dedicated hardware for each function, managing complexity through integrated design.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.