Full-Duplex Wireless Speaker System for Mobile Audio
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile stations with built-in speakers have limited audio output and range, making them inadequate for playing digital content like MP3 files, and switching between content playback and telephonic modes can be inconvenient, especially when using remote external speakers connected via Bluetooth.
Innovation Solution
A stand-alone speaker system that operates alternately in speaker mode for content playback and hands-free phone mode, using a wireless transceiver to communicate with the mobile station and automatically or user-selectively switch between modes, allowing for remote operation and full-duplex communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the mobile station uses built-in speakers for content playback, then the device remains compact and portable, but the audio output quality and range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the mobile station from the speaker system, allowing the mobile station to remain compact while the speaker system provides high-quality audio output. The speaker system is a standalone unit that can be remotely positioned, decoupling the size constraints of the mobile device from the audio quality requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
A wireless communication link (Bluetooth or other wireless protocol) acts as an intermediary between the mobile station and the speaker system, enabling audio data transmission without physical cables. This wireless intermediary allows flexible positioning and eliminates the need for close proximity between devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If external speakers are connected via cable to improve audio quality, then audio output quality improves, but device portability and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical connection (cable) is replaced with a wireless communication system. The speaker system includes a wireless receiver that accepts audio data from the mobile station without requiring physical cable connections, thereby maintaining audio quality while eliminating the portability constraints imposed by cables.
3Reliability
If the user must physically interact with the mobile station to switch between playback and phone modes, then mode switching is reliable, but convenience is reduced when using remote speakers
Solution Approach 1:
The speaker system is designed to handle multiple functions: it can receive and playback audio content from the mobile station, and it can also serve as a hands-free communication device for phone calls. The system includes a mode selector that automatically or manually switches between content playback mode and hands-free phone mode, eliminating the need for the user to physically interact with the mobile station for mode switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The speaker system performs mode switching autonomously based on the type of signal received from the mobile station. The mode selector detects whether the incoming signal is audio content or a phone call and automatically configures the appropriate mode, or allows user selection through the speaker system's own interface rather than requiring interaction with the mobile station.
4Ease of operation
If the speaker system operates in hands-free mode, then user convenience is improved, but voice clipping may occur due to acoustic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication link serves as an intermediary that separates the acoustic paths of the microphone and speaker. By transmitting voice signals wirelessly to the speaker system rather than using the mobile station's built-in speaker, the system avoids acoustic feedback and voice clipping issues that occur when the microphone picks up sound from the speaker.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides improved audio quality and convenience by enabling remote operation of the speaker system in hands-free mode, reducing the need for users to physically interact with the mobile station during calls and enhancing the user experience with high-fidelity stereo output and reduced voice clipping.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer set is adapted to receive indications of at least the communication data received by the wireless transceiver. The transducer set is configured to transduce the indication of the communication data between electrical and human perceptible form.
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker assembly, and an associated method, is operable in conjunction with operation of a content capable mobile station, such as a mobile station that stores and plays out MP3-formatted files. A Bluetooth™, or other, transceiver of the speaker assembly communicates with a corresponding transceiver of the mobile station. When content is played out by the mobile station, signals representative of the content are communicated to the transceiver of the speaker assembly, and converted into acoustical form. When the mobile station is operated in a telephonic mode, the speaker assembly operates in a full-duplex mode in which hands-free operation is provided to a user by way of the speaker assembly.