Wireless Earphone Network Handover for Continuous Audio Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless headphones are either cumbersome due to cords or large in size, lacking the convenience of being both cordless and in-ear type, and they struggle with seamless transitions between wireless networks when out of range.
Innovation Solution
A wireless earphone design that includes a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio via ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, automatically transitioning between them without user intervention, allowing connection to a host server for continued audio streaming when out of range of the initial network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless headphones use ad hoc network for direct connection, then audio streaming quality is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates when out of range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an infrastructure wireless network as an intermediary when the ad hoc network becomes unavailable. The earphone automatically transitions to connect through the infrastructure network (e.g., Wi-Fi access point) to maintain audio streaming, thus preserving connection reliability while keeping the primary high-quality ad hoc connection as the first choice.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between ad hoc network and infrastructure network based on availability. The earphone monitors connection status and automatically transitions between network types, making the system adaptive to changing environmental conditions while maintaining continuous audio playback.
2Ease of operation
If wireless earphone uses cordless design, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to wireless network transition requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone automatically manages network transitions without user intervention. The device monitors ad hoc network availability and autonomously switches to infrastructure network when needed, eliminating the need for manual configuration or user awareness of network changes, thus maintaining ease of operation despite increased internal complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The earphone maintains capability to connect to infrastructure networks in advance and seamlessly transitions when ad hoc connection is lost. This preliminary preparation ensures continuous operation without requiring user action during the transition, preserving ease of use.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless earphone that comprises a transceiver circuit for receiving streaming audio from a data source over a local ad hoc wireless network. When the data source and the earphone are out of range, they transition automatically to an infrastructure wireless network. If there is no common infrastructure wireless network for both the data source and the speakerphone set, the earphone connects to a host server via an available wireless network.