Head-Mounted Antenna Layout for Low-Latency Earbud Audio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Incorporating wireless communications circuitry into head-mounted displays is challenging due to space constraints and the need to optimize antenna placement for low-latency audio transmission while meeting stringent requirements for radio-frequency energy exposure and performance.

Innovation Solution

The head-mounted device includes a housing with first and second displays, a cover layer, and a third display that overlaps a central region, featuring wireless circuitry with transceivers and antennas mounted strategically to optimize wireless performance, including the use of a single antenna or dual antennas for concurrent audio data transmission to earbuds, and the option to couple one antenna with a phase shifter or duplexer for enhanced signal quality and Bluetooth data conveyance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If antennas are mounted in the head-mounted device, then wireless communication capability is achieved, but the device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communication capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple wireless communication functions (low-latency audio transmission and Bluetooth data transmission) into a single integrated antenna system. The first antenna handles low-latency audio data while the second antenna handles Bluetooth data, allowing the device to achieve versatile wireless communication capability without proportionally increasing device complexity through separate antenna systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the wireless communication functions by assigning different antennas to different communication protocols - the first antenna is dedicated to low-latency audio transmission while the second antenna is dedicated to Bluetooth data transmission. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized for its specific function while managing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single antenna is used for audio transmission, then device complexity is reduced, but wireless performance and signal quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidwireless performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the antenna system universal by designing it to handle multiple wireless communication protocols simultaneously. The first antenna is optimized for low-latency audio transmission while the second antenna handles Bluetooth data, creating a multi-functional wireless communication system that maintains high reliability across different communication types without requiring a single complex multi-purpose antenna.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If antennas are placed to optimize low-latency audio transmission, then audio communication performance is improved, but radio-frequency energy exposure requirements may be violated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio communication performanceVSAvoidradio-frequency energy exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration optimizes wireless performance, meets stringent requirements for low-latency audio communications, and ensures compliance with radio-frequency energy exposure regulations, providing efficient and reliable audio data transmission to earbuds.

Implementation Method 1

The first transceiver may transmit audio data to left and right earbuds using one or more of the antennas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the first antenna may be coupled to a phase shifter to boost signal quality using a cross-head channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase shifting: Phase Modulation

Implementation Method 3

a duplexer may be used to allow the first or second antenna to also convey Bluetooth data for the second transceiver

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSignal filtering and separation: Filter (electronic)

Data Source

PatentUS20240405430A1Electronic Device with Antennas

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device may have first and second rear-facing displays, a front-facing display, a cover layer at a front side with a central region overlapping the front-facing display and a peripheral region, and wireless circuitry with a transceiver and antennas. The transceiver may convey audio data with left and right earbuds using a non-Bluetooth low-latency-audio communications protocol. The antenna(s) may be mounted at a bottom side of the device overlapping the peripheral region, at a rear side of the device, or may be mounted to a head strap. The antenna(s) may be tilted to optimize field(s) of view, to match polarization of the earbuds, and/or to allow multiple antennas to exhibit orthogonal polarizations. The antennas may include a single antenna that concurrently conveys packets of audio data to both earbuds or may include first and second antennas that concurrently convey audio data to the left and right earbuds.