Ear-Worn Audio Compression for Memory and Battery Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ear-worn devices face power and memory limitations, making it difficult to listen to audio content without an external device and wireless streaming drains the battery.

Innovation Solution

A method to compress audio data on an ear-worn device based on device and user parameters, storing it in non-volatile memory for later playback without needing an external device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If audio data is stored on an ear-worn device, then storage capacity is increased, but memory limitations are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidmemory limitations

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential audio frequency components that fall within the device's output capabilities and user hearing range, removing unnecessary frequency data to reduce file size while maintaining audio quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies audio data parameters by applying compression algorithms and filtering based on device-specific frequency range parameters, transforming the audio data to fit within memory constraints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If audio data is streamed wirelessly from an external device, then storage capacity is reduced, but battery power is depleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidbattery power

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary compression and processing of audio data before transfer to the ear-worn device, so that the device can store and playback audio without requiring continuous wireless streaming, thereby conserving battery power

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If audio data is compressed based on device parameters, then storage capacity is increased, but audio quality is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaudio quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing approaches to different frequency components of the audio data, preserving quality in the critical frequency range that matches device capabilities while compressing or removing data outside this range

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20260067624A1Audio compression and storage using ear-worn device

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 STARKEY LABORATORIES INC

AI summary

Method and devices for saving audio data on an ear-worn device are provided herein. In various embodiments, the method can include connecting an ear-worn device to an external device, receiving a request for audio data to be sent from the external device to the ear-worn device, modifying a first audio data file on the external device in accordance with parameters defined in an audio profile associated with the ear-worn device to create a second audio data file, wherein the second audio data file is smaller than the first audio data file, sending the second audio data file from the external device to the ear-worn device, and saving the second audio data file in a non-volatile memory element of the ear-worn device.