Wireless Surround Headphones With Adaptive MCS for Lip Sync

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generating and transmitting surround sound audio information to multiple wireless headphone sets while maintaining synchronization and avoiding lip sync delay is challenging due to the trade-off between higher data throughput and wireless link robustness, particularly in environments with interference.

Innovation Solution

A surround sound controller dynamically adjusts the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) based on the number of concurrent headphone sets, using higher MCS for fewer sets to ensure high throughput and lower MCS for greater range and robustness, ensuring each headphone set receives tailored surround sound audio information based on its position relative to the screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If higher MCS is used for data transmission, then data throughput is improved, but wireless link robustness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata throughputVSAvoidwireless link robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the MCS index based on the number of connected headphone sets and environmental conditions. When fewer headphone sets are connected, a higher MCS index is used to maximize throughput. When more headphone sets are connected or interference is detected, the MCS index is reduced to ensure robust transmission and maintain synchronization across all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameter (MCS index) according to system state. The controller monitors the number of connected headphone sets and adjusts the MCS index accordingly, transforming a static transmission parameter into a dynamic one that adapts to varying system conditions to resolve the throughput-robustness tradeoff.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If higher MCS is used to increase throughput, then synchronization is improved, but lip sync delay increases in environments with interference

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesynchronizationVSAvoidlip sync delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors transmission conditions and adjusts MCS based on detected interference levels and synchronization status. This closed-loop control ensures that when interference is detected, the MCS is reduced to prevent data loss and maintain proper lip sync timing between audio and video.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively reduces MCS index before severe interference occurs by monitoring the number of connected devices and environmental conditions. This preventive approach ensures that transmission robustness is maintained in advance, preventing synchronization issues and lip sync delays before they occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS20250374001A1Wireless Multi-Channel Headphones Systems and Methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SONOS INC

AI summary

Some disclosed systems and methods include a surround sound controller and one or more wireless headphones that switch between operating in various modes. In a first mode, the surround sound controller uses a first MCS to transmit first surround sound audio information to a first pair of headphones. In a second mode, the surround sound controller uses a second MCS to transmit (a) the first surround sound audio information to the first pair of headphones and (b) second surround sound audio information to a second pair of headphones. In operation, the first MCS corresponds to a lower data rate at a higher wireless link margin than the second MCS.