Earbud Case Battery Handoff When Earbud Radios Are Inactive
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing earbud cases cannot transmit battery charge level information when earbud radio circuits are shut down, such as when the lid is closed, leading to a lack of real-time battery status updates for users.
Innovation Solution
The case is designed to transmit battery charge level information in real-time or near real-time, even when earbud radio circuits are powered down, by establishing a handshake and authentication with the earbuds, and using the case to relay this information to an electronic device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If earbud radio circuits are shut down when lid is closed, then energy consumption is reduced, but battery charge level information cannot be transmitted
Solution Approach 1:
The case acts as an intermediary device that receives battery charge level information from the earbuds when they are docked inside, stores this information, and then transmits it to the electronic device via its own radio circuit. This allows the earbud radio circuits to remain powered down while still enabling battery status information to be communicated to the user's device.
2Loss of information
If earbud radio circuits are kept active, then battery charge level information can be transmitted, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The information transmission function is extracted from the earbud radio circuits and transferred to the case radio circuit. The earbuds only need to communicate with the case when docked, while the case handles all wireless communication with the electronic device, allowing the earbuds to minimize their radio circuit operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The case autonomously manages the collection, storage, and transmission of battery charge level information without requiring continuous earbud radio operation. The system self-regulates by having the earbuds transmit information to the case when docked, and the case independently manages communication with the electronic device.
3Loss of information
If real-time battery status updates are provided, then user awareness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The case combines multiple functions into a single device: it serves as a charging case for the earbuds, a data collection point for battery status information, and a wireless communication interface to the electronic device. This consolidation provides real-time battery status updates without requiring separate systems for each function.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device can receive battery charge level information from two different devices and select, between the different devices, which information to use to generate and present battery information on a display of the electronic device. When two separate devices are transmitted by a case and an earbud (or earbuds), the electronic device can receive and select from one of two source based upon the state of the case and the state of the earbud(s). Alternatively, based upon the state of the case and the earbud(s), the electronic device can merge the information received from the case and the earbuds, while also determining from the merged information which respective device transmitted the respective information. Further, the case can provide battery information on behalf of the earbuds when the earbuds are in the case, and the respective radio circuits are shut down. Alternatively, the earbuds can provide battery information on behalf the case.