System for power balancing in wireless earbuds

Abstract

This application discloses a system for power balancing in wireless earbuds. A first earbud is configured to communicate with a user media device and a second earbud. The first earbud includes: a battery, a battery monitor configured to determine the battery's power level, and a mode controller. The mode controller is configured to: receive a first power level value from the battery monitor and a second power level value from the second earbud, and determine that the first earbud is operating in a primary mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from the user media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. The mode controller is further configured to: in response to the determination that the first earbud is operating in primary mode, switch the first earbud from primary mode to secondary mode based on at least one of the first and second power levels.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Wireless earbuds are commonly used with mobile phones and other communication devices. Their small form factor and lack of tangled wires contribute to their widespread popularity. However, wireless earbuds do have drawbacks. Their small size means limited battery size, so they can run out of power relatively quickly. Managing the battery power of earbuds also presents challenges. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Generally, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a first earbud configured to communicate with a user media device and a second earbud. The first earbud includes: a battery, a battery monitor configured to determine a power level of the battery, and a mode controller. The mode controller is configured to receive a first power level value from the battery monitor and a second power level value from the second earbud, and to determine that the first earbud is operating in a primary mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from the user media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. The mode controller is further configured to: in response to the determination that the first earbud is operating in primary mode, switch the first earbud from primary mode to secondary mode based on at least one of the first and second power levels.

[0003] Generally, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a method comprising: obtaining a first power level value of a battery of a first earbud and obtaining a second power level value of a second earbud; and determining that the first earbud is operating in a primary mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from a user media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. The method further comprises: in response to the determination that the first earbud is operating in primary mode, switching the first earbud from primary mode to secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level and the second power level.

[0004] Generally, in one aspect, one or more embodiments relate to a system comprising: a first earbud including a first battery and a second earbud including a second battery. The first earbud is configured to: obtain a first power level value of the first battery, receive a second power level value of the second battery from the second earbud, and determine that the first earbud is operating in a primary mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from a user media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. In response to the determination that the first earbud is operating in primary mode, the first earbud is switched from primary mode to secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level and the second power level.

[0005] Other aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figure 1 A communication topology between a pair of earbuds and a user media device according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0007] Figure 2 An earplug according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0008] Figure 3 A flowchart is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] For consistency, similar elements in various figures are indicated by similar figure references. Detailed Implementation

[0012] Generally, embodiments of this disclosure provide a pair of earbuds that switch between a primary mode and a secondary mode to balance power consumption between the batteries in the two earbuds. In primary mode, the earbud receives audio data from a user's media device and transmits the received audio data to a second earbud. In secondary mode, the earbud receives audio data from the other earbud. Each earbud monitors the battery level in each earbud and switches between primary and secondary modes based on the relative battery levels of the two earbuds.

[0013] Figure 1 A communication topology between a pair of earbuds 150L and 150R and a user media device 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. Figure 1 In the diagram, earbud 150L is the left earbud, and earbud 150R is the right earbud. Earbuds are small headphones that are at least partially worn inside the ear. Additionally, user media device 110... Figure 1 The term "smartphone" is used here. However, the smartphone is shown by way of example only, and the illustration of a smartphone should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure or the claims herein. Generally, the user media device 110 can be any device capable of communicating with the earpiece 150, including, for example, audio players, stereo systems, vehicle infotainment systems, wearable devices, laptop computers, notebook computers, user-worn tie devices, and other types of computing devices.

[0014] Communication links 120, 130, and 140 represent several possible bidirectional wireless communication links between the user media device 110 and earbuds 150R and 150L, ​​and between earbuds 150R and 150L. Communication links 120, 130, and 140 can be any type of wireless communication link, including near-field magnetic induction (NFMI), Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), or another type of wireless protocol. Therefore, communication link 120 between earbuds 150R and 150L can be NFMI, BT, BLE, or another protocol. Similarly, communication link 130 between earbuds 150L and user media device 110 can be NFMI, BT, BLE, or another protocol, and communication link 140 between earbuds 150R and user media device 110 can be NFMI, BT, BLE, or another protocol.

[0015] Communication link 130 transmits and receives audio data between user media device 110 and earphone 150L, ​​and also transmits and receives command and status data between them. For example, user media device 110 can transmit streaming audio data to earphone 150L via communication link 130 while the user is listening to music. During a telephone call between the user and a remote party, user media device 110 can receive the user's voice audio data from earphone 150L and transmit the remote party's voice audio data to earphone 150L via communication link 130. User media device 110 can also receive user input commands, such as mute commands, volume up / down commands, and call end commands, from earphone 150L on communication link 130. Similarly, user media device 110 can also transmit user input commands, such as mute commands, volume up / down commands, and call end commands, to earphone 150L.

[0016] Communication link 140 transmits and receives audio data between user media device 110 and earpiece 150R, and also transmits and receives command and status data between them. For example, user media device 110 can transmit streaming audio data to earpiece 150R via communication link 140 while the user is listening to music. During a telephone call between the user and a remote party, user media device 110 can receive the user's voice audio data from earpiece 150R and transmit the remote party's voice audio data to earpiece 150R via communication link 140. User media device 110 can also receive user input commands from earpiece 150R on communication link 140, such as mute commands, volume up / down commands, call end commands, etc. Similarly, user media device 110 can also transmit user input commands, such as mute commands, volume up / down commands, call end commands, etc., to earpiece 150R.

[0017] Communication link 120 transmits and receives audio data between earbuds 150R and 150L, ​​and also transmits and receives command and status data between earbuds 150R and 150L. As will be explained in more detail below, earbuds 150R and 150L are functionally identical and each can operate in either primary or secondary mode.

[0018] In one example of main mode operation, the main earbud (150L or 150R) handles most of the communication with the user's media device 110 and performs other functions such as digital signal processing (DSP) and active noise cancellation (ANC) of the audio stream. As an example, during telephone mode, with each earbud including two microphones, the main earbud can perform 4-microphone beamforming digital signal processing. The DSP in the main earbud can receive two microphone signals from the secondary earbud via communication link 120 and then perform 4-microphone beamforming in the main earbud.

[0019] In the example of secondary mode operation, the secondary earbud 150 primarily communicates with the primary earbud 150, and has very limited communication (if any) with the user media device 110. The secondary earbud 150 does not perform active noise cancellation or most other DSP functions, but instead primarily limits its operation to receiving and playing audio streams received from the primary earbud and providing the primary earbud with audio signals received at the microphone on the secondary earbud.

[0020] The inconsistency in the functions performed by the main earbud 150 and the secondary earbud 150 results in a significant difference in power consumption between the two earbuds 150 during normal operation. As a result, one earbud may become depleted and require recharging, while the other earbud can still work for some time.

[0021] To address this inconsistent battery consumption, the earbuds 150R and 150L described in this disclosure are capable of switching between primary and secondary modes in a coordinated manner, thereby balancing power consumption between the batteries in the earbuds 150R and 150L. To balance power consumption, each of the earbuds 150R and 150L implements dedicated firmware that monitors the battery life in each earbud 150 and switches between primary and secondary modes based on the battery life status of the two batteries.

[0022] Figure 2 Earplugs 150 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Because earplugs 150R and earplugs 150L are functionally identical, Figure 2The description of earbud 150 applies to both earbud 150R and earbud 150L. Earbud 150 includes a memory 205, a signal processor 210, an inter-ear transceiver (X-CVR) 215, a speaker 220, a battery monitor 225, a battery 230, a user transceiver (X-CVR) 235, one or more microphones 240, and a system bus 250. In an exemplary embodiment, the system bus 250 enables other components of earbud 150 to communicate with each other.

[0023] An inter-ear transceiver 215 transmits and receives audio data, commands, and status information between earbuds 150 and another earbud 150 via communication link 120. A user equipment transceiver 235 transmits and receives audio data, commands, and status information between earbuds 150 and user media device 110 via communication link 130 or communication link 140. A microphone 240 picks up the user's voice during telephone mode. A speaker 220 outputs audio signals during music mode and voice audio during telephone mode. A battery 230 is a rechargeable battery that supplies power to all components of earbuds 150 via a DC power bus (not shown) and a ground bus (not shown). A battery monitor 225 monitors the remaining power (e.g., voltage) on battery 230 and reports the remaining power to signal processor 210.

[0024] Signal processor 210 controls the overall operation of earbud 150 by executing code from an operating system program (not shown) stored in memory 205. The operating system program includes mode controller firmware 201, which is a battery power balancing program that enables earbud 150 to operate in primary and secondary modes and switch between modes based on battery state. According to the principles of this disclosure, signal processor 210 operates as a mode controller by executing mode controller firmware 201 to balance the remaining power levels between the batteries in earbuds 150R and 150L by determining the battery levels in both earbuds and switching modes when a predetermined threshold is met. Signal processor 210 may be referred to hereinafter as "mode controller 210" or simply as "mode controller" in the appended claims. Thresholds can be defined as absolute or relative terms. An absolute term is a value that can be determined without additional data (e.g., a percentage of battery capacity or a predefined battery level). A relative term is a value defined relative to fluctuation values. For example, a relative term may be defined relative to the current battery level (e.g., a percentage of the current battery level of the other earbud). Subsequent thresholds may be lower than previous thresholds. In other embodiments, a separate processor (not shown) may operate as a dedicated mode controller that accesses and executes mode controller firmware 201 in memory 205. In such a case, the separate processor may generate control messages to interrupt signal processor 210 and initiate a mode switch as described herein.

[0025] Initially, the user begins using user media device 110, which is synchronized with earbuds 150R and 150L. Either earbud 150 can initially operate as the primary earbud 150. In the following example, earbud 150R starts as the primary earbud, while earbud 150L starts as the secondary earbud. During use, the battery power levels in both earbuds 150R and 150L decrease, and the battery power imbalance gap increases due to the heavier processing load of the primary earbud 150R. The increase in the gap can depend on which functions the user spends more time on. Phone functions consume more power than music streaming, so the power level gap increases more rapidly. A battery power balancing procedure determines the battery life of the two earbuds, and if the battery level gap exceeds a threshold, a mode switch is triggered. The battery power balancing program continues to monitor the battery life of both earbuds 150R and 150L, ​​and repeatedly switches the mode of each earbud 150R and 150L to keep the difference in battery life between the left and right earbuds within a subsequent threshold, so that the two batteries 230 are consumed synchronously.

[0026] Figure 3A flowchart illustrating a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. It is assumed that the method is executed in earpiece 150R by a signal processor 210 executing mode controller firmware 201. Figure 3 It is also assumed that the batteries 230 in both earbud 150R and earbud 150L are initially fully charged (i.e., 100% level).

[0027] Initially, in box 305, the earbud 150R determines whether it is in master mode. The earbud 150R can start in master mode by default, or it can start in master mode if it initially has a higher battery level than the earbud 150L. If it is in master mode in box 305, the earbud 150R transfers control to the master. Figure 4 And begin operating in main mode. Return Figure 3 If box 305 is negative, then in box 310, earbud 150R (in secondary mode) receives audio data from earbud 150L (in primary mode) and sends audio data to earbud 150L. During normal secondary operation, earbud 150R periodically determines in box 315 whether it has received a mode switching command from earbud 150L (in primary mode). If box 315 is negative, earbud 150R continues to receive audio data from earbud 150L in box 310. If box 315 is positive, earbud 150R switches to primary mode in box 320, while earbud 150L switches to secondary mode. Subsequently, earbud 150R transfers control to... Figure 5 And it begins to operate in main mode.

[0028] Go to Figure 4 , Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method performed by a master mode earbud according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Assuming... Figure 4 The flowchart in the document is executed by the signal processor 210 of the execution mode controller firmware 201 in the earbud 150R. In box 410, the earbud 150R exits... Figure 3 The operation has been started in main mode after box 305. Return. Figure 4 During normal primary mode operation, earbud 150R receives and plays audio data from user media device 110 in box 415. In box 420, earbud 150R also transmits audio data to earbud 150L (in secondary mode), receives audio data from earbud 150L, ​​and exchanges battery level status data with earbud 150L. In this way, each earbud 150R and 150L knows the battery power level of the other earbud 150.

[0029] Earbud 150R periodically (or non-periodically) monitors the power level of battery 230 in block 425 to determine whether the battery power level is below a first threshold. In one embodiment, the first threshold may be an absolute value. For example, the first threshold may be, for instance, 50% of the full battery power level and represents the first battery power level that triggers a mode switching operation after earbud 150R starts operating in primary mode. In an alternative embodiment, the first threshold may be a relative value compared to the power level in earbud 150L. For example, the first threshold may be when the primary battery level is 50% of the secondary battery level. If no in block 425, earbud 150R continues with blocks 415 and 420 until the battery level falls below the first threshold. If yes in block 425, earbud 150R sends a mode switching command to earbud 150L in block 430.

[0030] In box 435, the earbuds 150R begin operating in secondary mode and transfer control to... Figure 3 Box 310. Subsequently, the earbud 150R operates in secondary mode by iteratively executing boxes 310 and 315 until a mode-switching command is received in box 315. In response to the mode-switching command, the earbud 150R switches to primary mode in box 320, while the earbud 150L switches to secondary mode. The earbud 150R then transfers control to... Figure 5 And it begins to operate in main mode.

[0031] Go to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A flowchart is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Assumptions Figure 4 The flowchart in the process is executed by the signal processor 210 of the execution mode controller firmware 201 in the earpiece 150R.

[0032] In box 510, the earbuds 150R switch from secondary mode and exit. Figure 3 The operation has been started in main mode after box 320. Return. Figure 5 During normal primary mode operation, earbud 150R receives and plays audio data from user media device 110 in box 515. In box 520, earbud 150R also transmits audio data to earbud 150L (in secondary mode), receives audio from earbud 150L, ​​and exchanges battery level status data with earbud 150L. In this way, each earbud 150R and 150L knows the battery power level of the other earbud 150.

[0033] Earbud 150R periodically (or non-periodically) monitors the power level of battery 230 within frame 525 to determine if the battery power level is below a subsequent threshold. Since earbud 150R (in primary mode) has already transitioned to secondary mode, earbud 150 has reached a threshold. Figure 4 The first threshold level is defined in the sequence. Subsequent thresholds are thresholds smaller than the first threshold level. For example, a subsequent threshold level can be defined as an absolute value (e.g., 30% battery power) or as a relative value (e.g., 10% below the secondary earbud's battery level). If box 525 is negative, earbud 150R continues with boxes 515 and 520 until the battery level falls below the subsequent threshold. If box 525 is positive, earbud 150R sends a mode switching command to earbud 150L in box 530.

[0034] In box 535, the earbuds 150R begin operating in secondary mode and transfer control to... Figure 3 Box 310 in the middle. Go to... Figure 3 Earbud 150R operates in secondary mode by iteratively executing blocks 310 and 315 until a mode-switching command is received in block 315. In response to the mode-switching command, earbud 150R switches to primary mode in block 320, while earbud 150L switches to secondary mode. Subsequently, earbud 150R transfers control to secondary mode. Figure 5 And it begins to operate in main mode.

[0035] Numerous specific details are set forth in the detailed description of embodiments of this disclosure to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

[0036] Throughout the application, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) may be used as adjectives for elements (i.e., any noun in the application). The use of ordinal numbers is not intended to imply or create any particular ordering of elements, nor is it intended to limit any element to merely a single element, unless explicitly stated otherwise, such as through the use of the terms “before,” “after,” “single,” and other such terms. Rather, the use of ordinal numbers is to distinguish elements. As an example, the first element is distinct from the second element, and the first element may contain more than one element and inherit from the second element in the ordering of elements (or precede the second element).

[0037] Furthermore, although this description includes a discussion of various embodiments of this disclosure, the various disclosed embodiments can be combined in virtually any manner. All combinations are contemplated herein.

[0038] Although the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure will understand that other embodiments can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed herein. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A first earbud configured to communicate with a user media device and a second earbud, the first earbud comprising: Battery; A battery monitor configured to determine the power level of the battery; A mode controller, configured to: Receive a first power level value from the battery monitor and a second power level value from the second earbud. A determination is made that the first earbud is operating in main mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from the user media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. In a first instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a first threshold power value. In a second instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a second threshold power value, wherein the second threshold power value is less than the first threshold power value.

2. The first earplug as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to: The system determines that the first power level is lower than the first threshold, and in response to the determination that the first power level is lower than the first threshold power value, switches the first earbud to the secondary mode.

3. The first earplug as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first threshold power value is defined as an absolute term.

4. The first earplug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to switch the first earbud to the sub-mode in response to a determination that the difference between the first power level value and the second power level value is greater than the first threshold power value.

5. The first earplug as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to transmit a first mode switching command to the second earbud, causing the second earbud to switch from the secondary mode to the primary mode.

6. The first earplug as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to: Receive a second mode switching command from the second earbud, and In response to receiving the second switching mode command, the first earbud is switched from the secondary mode back to the primary mode.

7. The first earplug as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to: Determine the difference between the first power level value and the second power level value, and Determine whether the difference is greater than the second threshold power value.

8. The first earplug as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The mode controller is further configured to: switch the first earbud to the sub-mode in response to determining that the difference is greater than the second threshold power value.

9. The first earplug as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, The mode controller switches the first earbud from the secondary mode to the primary mode in response to a mode switching command received from the second earbud.

10. The first earplug as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, In response to the determination that the first earbud is operating in the secondary mode, the mode controller is further configured to switch the first earbud from the secondary mode to the primary mode.

11. A method comprising: Obtain a first power level value from the battery of the first earbud, and obtain a second power level value from the second earbud; In the first instance, it is determined that the first earbud is operating in main mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from the user's media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud; In a first instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a first threshold power value. In the second instance, it is determined that the first earbud is operating in the main mode; as well as In a second instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a second threshold power value, wherein the second threshold power value is less than the first threshold power value.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: Determine that the first power level value is lower than the first threshold power value; as well as In response to the determination that the first power level value is lower than the first threshold power value, the first earbud is switched to the secondary mode.

13. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The first threshold power value is defined as a relative term.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The first threshold power value is defined in absolute terms.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: A first switching mode command is transmitted to the second earbud to switch the second earbud from the secondary mode to the primary mode.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: Receive a second mode switching command from the second earbud, and In response to receiving the second switching mode command, the first earbud is switched from the secondary mode back to the primary mode.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: Determine whether the difference between the first power level value and the second power level value is lower than the second threshold power value.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: In response to the determination that the difference is lower than the second threshold power value, the first earbud is switched to the secondary mode.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: In response to a mode switching command received from the second earbud, the first earbud is switched from the secondary mode to the primary mode.

20. A system comprising: A first earpiece, the first earpiece including a first battery; as well as The second earbud includes a second battery. The first earplug is configured to: Obtain the first power level value of the first battery. Receive the second power level value of the second battery from the second earbud. In the first instance, it is determined that the first earbud is operating in main mode, in which the first earbud receives audio data from the user's media device and transmits the received audio data to the second earbud. In a first instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a first threshold power value. In the second instance, it is determined that the first earbud is operating in main mode; as well as In a second instance, in response to a determination that the first earbud is operating in the primary mode, the first earbud is switched from the primary mode to the secondary mode based on at least one of the first power level value and the second power level value satisfying a second threshold power value, wherein the second threshold power value is less than the first threshold power value.

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