Wireless Earbud Case Detection When Charging Battery Is Depleted
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless earbuds with charging cases equipped with Hall sensors face issues when the charging case runs out of battery, as the Hall sensor cannot detect opening or closing operations, leading to improper powering on or off of the earbuds, resulting in a poor user experience.
Innovation Solution
The earbud assembly includes a battery status indicator with a first and second state, a status detector in the earbud to detect these states, and a processor to power on or off the earbuds based on the charging case's battery status and connection status, ensuring proper operation even when the charging case is out of battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Hall sensor is used in the charging case to detect opening or closing operations, then the charging case can automatically power on or power off the earbuds, but when the charging case runs out of battery, the Hall sensor cannot detect operations anymore, resulting in failure to power on or power off the earbuds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (contact-based detection system) that works independently of the charging case battery. When the earbud is placed in the charging case, physical contacts establish electrical connection to detect insertion/removal events, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap when the Hall sensor fails due to battery depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic Hall sensor system with a mechanical contact-based detection system. Instead of using magnetic field detection that requires power, the system uses physical contact points that close circuits when the earbud is inserted or removed, providing a power-independent detection mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the charging case uses a Hall sensor for detection, then the system can maintain simple structure during normal operation, but the system fails to function when the charging case battery is exhausted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dual-detection system where the charging case can operate with two different detection mechanisms: the Hall sensor for normal powered operations and the contact-based system for battery-depleted conditions. This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to different power states and maintain operation across all scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a preliminary backup detection mechanism (contact-based system) that is always ready to take over when the primary Hall sensor system fails. The contact-based detection is pre-configured and requires no additional power setup, immediately becoming active when battery depletion is detected.
3Loss of energy
If the charging case battery is depleted, then power consumption is minimized, but the earbuds cannot be properly powered on or off, resulting in poor user experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the earbud to autonomously detect its insertion and removal from the charging case using the contact-based detection system. When the earbud is inserted, it automatically powers on; when removed, it automatically powers off. This self-service capability eliminates the need for the charging case to actively control power states, allowing proper operation even when the charging case battery is depleted.
Data Source
AI summary
An earbud assembly includes a charging case and at least one wireless earbud suitable to be stowed in the charging case. The charging case includes a battery, a charger electrically connected to the battery, a sensor configured to detect the opening and closing operations of the charging case, a battery status indicator that has a first state when the battery of the charging case is in a normal working condition and a second state when the battery of the charging case is exhausted. The earbud includes a processor and a status detector for detecting the state of the battery status indicator when the earbud is stowed in the charging case. The processor of the earbud is configured to power off the earbud when the status detector detects that the battery status indicator is in the second state.