Headphone USB Connector Integrating Power and Audio Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headphones face issues with performance and user experience due to the need for separate cables for power and audio data, which can lead to ground loops and degrade audio fidelity, and the inconvenience of switching between wired and wireless connections.
Innovation Solution
A headphone design that incorporates a wireless transceiver, a data buffer, and control circuitry allowing seamless transition between wireless and wired data sources, using a single connector for both power and audio data, eliminating ground loops and enhancing user experience by integrating power and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate cables are used for power and audio data transmission, then power delivery is reliable, but ground loops occur and audio fidelity degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power delivery and audio data transmission into a single USB connector interface. The USB connector includes multiple contacts that simultaneously carry power signals and differential audio data signals, eliminating the need for separate cables and thereby preventing ground loops while maintaining reliable power delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB connector is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a power delivery interface and an audio data transmission interface. The same physical connector and cable infrastructure handles both electrical power and digital audio signals, making the system more versatile and eliminating the harmful effects of separate connections.
2Ease of operation
If wireless connection is used, then convenience is improved, but connection stability and audio fidelity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The headphone system dynamically switches between wireless and wired connection modes based on availability and reliability requirements. The control circuitry detects the presence of a wired connection and automatically transitions to using the USB connector for both power and audio data, ensuring optimal connection stability when available while maintaining wireless convenience when appropriate.
3Device complexity
If a single connector is used for both power and audio data, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The USB connector is designed with specific contact assignments where power signals and audio data signals use separate, dedicated contacts within the same connector. The differential audio contacts are specifically configured to reject common-mode noise, while power contacts are isolated to prevent interference, allowing both functions to coexist without significant signal interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A headphone is disclosed herein. The headphone includes a wireless transceiver, a wired communication module, a power storage device, a speaker, and control circuitry. The wireless transceiver and the wired communication module and the wireless transceiver are connected to the speaker via the control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to determine whether to control the speaker according to data received via the wired communication module and the wireless transceiver and to seamlessly transition control of the speaker from data received from one of the wired communication module and the wireless transceiver to the other of the wired communication module and the wireless transceiver.