Wireless Earphone Network Switching for Continuous Audio Playback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wireless headphones are cumbersome due to cords or large size, and existing cordless options often lack the in-ear form factor and efficient network transition capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A wireless earphone with a transceiver circuit that seamlessly transitions between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, allowing for cordless operation and connection to streaming audio sources via IEEE 802.11, ensuring continuous audio playback even when out of range from the primary data source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wireless headphones use cords or large docking ports for connection, then connection reliability is improved, but device portability and comfort deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice portability and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical connection systems (cords and docking ports) with wireless communication systems. The earphone uses a transceiver circuit to communicate wirelessly with the data source through ad hoc or infrastructure wireless networks, eliminating the need for physical connections while maintaining reliable audio transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Speed

If wireless earphones use ad hoc network for direct connection, then connection speed is improved, but network coverage and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection speedVSAvoidnetwork coverage and reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic network selection capability where the earphone can automatically switch between ad hoc network mode (for fast direct connection when in range) and infrastructure network mode (for broader coverage when out of range). This dynamic adaptation ensures optimal performance across varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an infrastructure wireless network as an intermediary when direct ad hoc connection is not available. The earphone can connect to access points or routers in the infrastructure network to receive audio streams, providing a reliable fallback path when direct peer-to-peer connection is out of range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless earphones support multiple network modes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidtransceiver and network management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic network mode selection where the earphone autonomously determines whether to use ad hoc or infrastructure network mode based on its proximity to the data source and available networks. The device self-manages the complexity of network configuration without requiring user intervention, simplifying the user experience while maintaining multiple network capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11653139B2Wireless earphones that play lossy compressed streaming audio

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 KOSS CORP

AI summary

Left and right earphones are independently wireless such that the left and right earphones are not physically connected when worn by a user. Each earphone comprises a speaker, a body portion, and an earbud extending from the body portion. The body portion comprises a downwardly extending portion that extends straight downwardly when the earphone is worn by the user, a wireless communication circuit for receiving signals transmitted wirelessly to the earphone from a remote source, a microphone, a rechargeable battery, a memory and a processor. Each earphone is configured to receive from a remote computing device, and store in the memory, a firmware update.