Wireless Earphone Role Switching to Reduce Audio Interruptions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless earphones with an interception system, when the secondary device fails to receive audio data, it does not request retransmission from the source device, leading to frequent retransmissions and interruptions in sound reproduction by the primary device.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a mechanism where the secondary device transmits NACK to the primary device for retransmission requests, and dynamically switching roles based on reception quality or distance to optimize data reception and minimize interruptions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the secondary device performs retransmission request to the primary device when audio data reception fails, then the secondary device can recover data, but the primary device cannot receive audio data from the source device during P-S communication causing sound interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio data reception reliabilityVSAvoidcontinuous audio playback
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic role switching between primary and secondary devices based on real-time reception quality. When the secondary device detects poor reception quality, it switches roles with the primary device, allowing the device with better reception to become the new primary device that receives audio data from the source device. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by ensuring continuous audio playback while maintaining data integrity through role interchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent measures reception quality in advance before role assignment and switching. By evaluating reception quality metrics (such as signal strength, packet error rate) beforehand, the system proactively determines which device should serve as the primary device to receive audio data from the source device, preventing potential interruptions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the primary device continuously receives audio data from the source device, then audio playback is continuous, but when P-S communication occurs the primary device cannot receive audio data causing frequent retransmissions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaudio data reception efficiencyVSAvoidaudio playback continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches the primary device role between the two earphones based on real-time reception quality monitoring. When P-S communication is detected or reception quality degrades, the secondary device can switch to become the new primary device, ensuring that audio data reception from the source device continues without interruption while allowing P-S communication to proceed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively monitors reception quality metrics and predicts potential reception failures before they occur. By measuring signal strength, packet error rates, and other reception indicators in advance, the system prepares for role switching to maintain continuous audio playback, preventing the contradiction between reception efficiency and playback continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4084493B1Audio apparatus and method for operating audio apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4084493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4084493B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4084493B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In an audio apparatus including a first device and a second device that each receive the same audio data transmitted from a source device, a device having the worse reception environment of the audio data out of the first device and the second device, operates as a primary device that performs a retransmission request for the audio data to the source device, and a device having the better reception environment operates as a secondary device that performs the retransmission request for the audio data to the primary device.