Wireless Earphone Transceiver for Ad Hoc to Infrastructure Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless headphones are either cumbersome due to cords or large in size, lacking the portability and in-ear type design that users desire, especially when transitioning between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks for audio streaming.
Innovation Solution
A wireless earphone with a transceiver circuit that seamlessly transitions between ad hoc and infrastructure wireless networks, allowing for continuous audio streaming by automatically connecting to a host server or infrastructure network when out of range, and featuring a compact, in-ear or on-ear design with adjustable shape options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional wireless headphones use docking ports or WLAN connectivity, then wireless audio streaming is enabled, but the device size becomes large and portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The earphone is designed to support multiple wireless communication modes (ad hoc wireless network and infrastructure wireless network) within a single compact device. The transceiver circuit can automatically switch between direct peer-to-peer communication and infrastructure-based communication, eliminating the need for separate docking ports or large WLAN hardware while maintaining versatile wireless audio streaming capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of wireless communication by implementing automatic mode switching between ad hoc and infrastructure networks. The transceiver circuit adjusts its communication protocol and connection mode dynamically based on availability, enabling compact design without sacrificing wireless audio streaming adaptability
2Volume of moving object
If cordless headphones are designed for portability, then size is reduced, but network transition capability between ad hoc and infrastructure modes is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The transceiver circuit is equipped with automatic detection and switching capabilities that enable the earphone to self-manage network transitions. The device autonomously monitors network availability and seamlessly switches between ad hoc and infrastructure modes without user intervention, maintaining full adaptability in a compact form factor
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system is designed to be dynamic, with the transceiver circuit automatically adjusting its operational mode based on real-time network conditions. This dynamic adaptation allows the compact earphone to maintain versatile network transition capability by flexibly switching between communication architectures
3Ease of operation
If ad hoc wireless network is used for direct audio streaming, then connectivity is established, but range limitation prevents communication when out of range
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure wireless network acts as an intermediary when direct ad hoc communication is unavailable. The earphone can switch to connecting through access points or base stations that relay audio data, extending the effective communication range while maintaining ease of operation for the user
Solution Approach 2:
The transceiver circuit is pre-configured with the capability to switch between ad hoc and infrastructure modes. When the earphone detects that it is out of range of the ad hoc network, it automatically initiates connection to available infrastructure networks, ensuring continuous audio streaming without interruption
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus comprises adapter and speaker system. Adapter is configured to plug into port of personal digital audio player. Speaker system is in communication with adapter, and comprises multiple acoustic transducers, programmable processor circuit, and wireless communication circuit. In first operational mode, processor circuit receives, via adapter, and processes digital audio content from personal digital audio player into which adapter is plugged, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the received audio content from the personal digital audio player. In second operational mode, wireless communication circuit receives digital audio content from a remote digital audio source over a wireless network, processor circuit processes the digital audio content received from remote digital audio source, and the multiple acoustic transducers output the audio content received from the remote digital audio source.