Wireless Audio Device Battery Balancing via Dynamic Task Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless audio output devices often experience uneven battery discharge, leading to reduced usability as one device may drain faster than the other, and there is no seamless way to transfer tasks when one device is removed from the user.
Innovation Solution
A system with a processor that communicates between paired wireless audio output devices to balance battery consumption by assigning tasks based on battery levels and wearing states, allowing seamless task transfer if one device is removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If tasks are assigned to wireless audio output devices based on fixed rules, then device complexity is reduced, but battery consumption balance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic task assignment where the processor continuously monitors battery levels of paired output devices and adjusts task distribution in real-time. When one device's battery drops below a threshold, the system automatically reassigns tasks to the other device, ensuring balanced energy consumption without requiring complex user intervention or predefined static rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where battery level information from both output devices is continuously communicated back to the task management processor. This feedback mechanism enables the processor to make informed decisions about task assignment, adjusting the distribution of audio processing tasks based on current battery states to prevent one device from draining excessively.
2Ease of operation
If task transfer between devices is implemented, then usability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication circuit as an intermediary layer between the sensing modules and processing units of paired output devices. This intermediary handles the exchange of battery level information and task assignment commands, enabling seamless task transfer when one device is removed from the user's ear. The communication circuit abstracts the complexity of inter-device coordination, allowing simple automatic task redistribution without burdening the user with system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an output device that outputs an audio signal. An output device which outputs an audio signal includes a battery, a sensing module including a plurality of sensors, a communication circuit configured to communicate with at least one of an external electronic device and another output device coupled to the output device, and a processor electrically connected with the battery, the sensing module, and the communication circuit. The processor is configured to obtain information about a level of the battery, to obtain information about a level of another battery included in the another output device using the communication circuit, and to assign a task associated with one of the plurality of sensors to the output device and/or the another output device based on the information about the level of the battery and the information about the level of the another battery.