Wireless Earbuds Stereo Audio Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of wireless earbuds are limited to single-ear audio since stereo earbuds require a wired connection to a common controller box for wireless operation from a common audio source.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple individual wireless earbuds, each with a wireless receiver and transmitter, allowing them to communicate directly with a common audio source, enabling audio playback in both ears without wires.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If stereo earbuds are used to provide audio in both ears, then audio coverage is improved, but device complexity increases due to the wired connection to a common controller box

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio coverageVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the stereo earbud system into two independent wireless earbuds, each capable of receiving audio signals independently from the audio source. This segmentation eliminates the need for a wired connection between earbuds and a common controller box, reducing device complexity while maintaining stereo audio coverage in both ears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each wireless earbud is designed with multi-functionality, capable of receiving audio signals directly from the audio source and functioning independently. This universal design allows each earbud to operate autonomously without requiring connection to a controller box, simplifying the overall system while providing audio in both ears

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Extent of automation

If a wired connection is used to connect earbuds to a common controller box, then wireless operation from a common audio source is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to wires and clutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless operationVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the controller box and its wired connections from the earbud system. Each earbud now contains the necessary wireless communication capabilities to connect directly to the audio source, eliminating wires and clutter while maintaining wireless operation from a common audio source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent eliminates the intermediary controller box that required wired connections. Instead, each earbud acts as its own intermediary, maintaining direct wireless communication with the audio source, thereby removing physical wires and improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8699732B2Systems and methods employing multiple individual wireless earbuds for a common audio source

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Multiple individual wireless earbuds provide audio from a common audio source. A user may thereby enjoy audio in both ears while also benefiting from an entirely wireless configuration. The individual wireless earbuds may each receive the audio signal from the common audio source and then produce audio accordingly. Each earbud may have a channel setting to define whether a given earbud will produce left channel or right channel audio for a multi-channel audio signal. The individual wireless earbuds may alternatively have a master-slave configuration where a master earbud receives a wireless audio signal from the common source, plays audio based on the audio signal, and transmits a wireless signal based on the wireless audio signal to the slave earbud. The slave earbud then plays audio based on the wireless signal from the master earbud.