Wireless Audio Tethering via Intermediary Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless audio systems struggle to allow multiple devices to play the same audio source via a wireless connection, as most commercially available audio sources only permit audio streaming over a single Bluetooth connection at a time, making it cumbersome to listen to the same audio source through wireless headphones or speakers.
Innovation Solution
A wireless audio device tethering system that uses a master and slave headphone configuration, where the master headphone streams audio from a source and retransmits it to the slave headphone, with an intermediary device transmitting a unique identifier and instructions to establish a third wireless connection, allowing seamless audio sharing between devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single Bluetooth connection is used for audio streaming, then audio quality is maintained, but only one device can receive audio at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device (first wireless audio device) that acts as a mediator between the audio source and the second wireless audio device. The intermediary receives the audio stream from the source and retransmits it to the second device, enabling one-to-many audio distribution while maintaining connection stability. This resolves the contradiction by adding an intermediate layer that facilitates multi-device connectivity without compromising the original Bluetooth audio streaming protocol.
2Ease of operation
If manual pairing procedures are used for tethering, then connection stability is ensured, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the first wireless audio device automatically generate and transmit a unique identifier to the second device before the actual tethering connection is established. This pre-configuration step enables automatic pairing without requiring manual user intervention, while the identifier verification mechanism ensures connection stability. The system performs necessary preparations in advance, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and connection reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If audio is retransmitted from master to slave headphone, then wireless audio sharing is enabled, but synchronization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the master wireless audio device receives status information from the slave device and adjusts its audio transmission accordingly. This feedback loop enables automatic synchronization of audio playback between devices, managing the complexity of coordinated retransmission. The system monitors and regulates the audio stream timing and buffer states, resolving the contradiction by introducing control feedback that automates the synchronization process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless audio device tethering system is provided for including an intermediary device having at least one wireless transceiver that is configured to establish a first wireless connection with a first wireless audio device and a second wireless connection with a second wireless audio device. The intermediary device is also configured to receive a unique identifier from the second wireless audio device and to transmit the unique identifier to the first wireless audio device in order to initiate wireless tethering between the first and second wireless audio device. Once tethering has been initiated, wireless audio signals can be streamed to the first wireless audio device and then re-streamed to the second wireless audio device.